861.00/4877: Telegram
The Commission to Negotiate Peace to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received July 22, 3:08 a.m.]
3248. Following is text in translation of note dated July 17th, 1919, from Secretary General of Peace Conference to American delegation, summarizing conclusions arrived at by French High Commissioner in Siberia in conjunction [conference] with General Janin and Mr. Soukine95 with respect to the repatriation of Czecho-Slovak troops in Siberia.
[Page 290]“The French High Commissioner in Siberia has just informed the French Government of the conclusions adopted in the course of the conferences in which he examined the question of the repatriation of Czecho-Slovak troops with General Janin and Mr. Soukine. The result of this exchange of views is:
- 1.
- That under the present situation it is doubtful whether the Czech troops will consent to go to the front in order to make a way for themselves either by the north (Archangel) or by the south (Black Sea). The soldiers have only one desire: to return home. Following recent incidents they are furthermore in no way disposed to consent to being replaced [placed] under a Russian command.
- 2.
- That in case a call for volunteers should be made it seems that only one or two thousand would be obtained.
- 3.
- That under these conditions the evacuation by sea via Vladivostok is imperative. If the principle were proclaimed General Janin believes it would be possible to have the Czech soldiers accept the idea of a gradual repatriation without confusion. If the repatriation were effected progressively it would become easier to replace as needed the Czecho-Slovak troops assigned to guard the Trans-Siberian.
- 4.
- The first contingents should embark before winter.
- 5.
- A solution is urgent. If a decision is not promptly made, new disorders are to be feared.
The Government of Omsk places itself at the disposal of the Allied and Associated Powers to organize the repatriation.
The French High Commissioner furthermore drew attention to the 11,000 Polish soldiers incompletely organized who are in concentration camp [are in Siberia], The Poles are in complete disagreement with the Russians and sending them to the front would be difficult at this date; there could be no question of it in any case without the consent of and an order from the Government of Warsaw.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Omsk Government requests on his side either the sending of these troops to the front or their repatriation or, if neither of these, their disarmament.
The telegram from Mr. de Martel96 sent on July 5 has probably crossed the telegram sent on July 297 by the President of the Council to Admiral Kolchak in the name of the Principal Allied and Associated Powers.”