861.00/3810: Telegram
The Minister in China (Reinsch) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received February 6, 1919, 4:35 a.m.]
Following from [Harris at] Omsk.
“92. February 4th, 9 p.m. Subject, Siberian opinion concerning Paris Conference proposal for delegates All-Russian Congress to meet at Princes Island. And Omsk Government while willing to comply is unquestionably opposed to proposition. Assent to send delegate does not mean conviction, but merely a desire to comply with wishes of Allies. This Government is quite satisfied that no truce or agreement with Bolsheviks is possible. I have sounded all sections of Siberia through consular officers except Vladivostok and following is résumé which clearly sets forth attitude of press and people regarding this question.
The first impression in Ekaterinburg of the Allied resolution to invite all Russian Parties in Siberia and European Russia, either in power or striving for it, to a conference in the Sea of Marmora undoubtedly one of incredulity and perplexity followed by intense discouragements. It seemed at first the abandonment of Russia, that the Allies washed their hand of the Russian situation conceding therefore cold indictment [sic] in empty words of friendship which made their action only more brutal. The greatest difficulty in understanding the resolution was the word party. It is asked what parties are striving for power in Russia now that all groups are united in the fight against the Bolsheviks and all factions in Siberia [Page 45] have declared their allegiance to the Omsk Government and Denikin has declared his support of it and Sazonoff has been appointed Foreign Minister of both Governments. The recognition of and acceptance of the plain implications of the note, namely, that the Bolsheviks and those fighting against them are meant by the term parties, deepens and intensifies the discouragement and resentment. Russians cannot understand how the Allies can consider the Bolsheviks as a party. They say that the Allies must know that they are a class group holding power for their lives. To receive them on any equality with the constructive elements of Russia is felt to be a deep insult. That the Allies want the constructive and organized elements of Russia to come to a compromise with the Bolsheviks as with a political foe seems almost incredible. The resolution is regarded here as showing an astonishing lack of comprehension of the character of the civil war in Russia. Some reservation in expression of opinion in view to incompleteness of news and a tendency to try to explain the resolution as some kind subtle diplomatic move perhaps intended to focus world attention on true character of Bolsheviks and create public opinion in Allied countries against them, without [apparent omission] Allies could not undertake great campaign in Russia is noticeable. General feeling however is one of being deliberately deserted and betrayed.
People in Novonikolaevsk believe not only impossible but undiscernible [sic] compromise or disgraceful agreement with Bolsheviks. All three daily papers representing Social Revolutionists, Cadets and military circles unanimously oppose Princes Island plan. Assert Bolsheviks, same as Germans, do not abide by any agreement. Therefore, why try to make agreement with them? But go further and say impossible any compromise be made. Bolsheviks’ idea must be stamped out effectually, that it would be disgrace loyal Russian patriots even to meet Bolsheviks, makers of Brest-Litovsk Treaty with Germany, and who further insist that international law is only bourgeois law.
In Tomsk, majority seems to believe that if all parties from Russia are represented that nothing would result from such a conference. They refuse to entertain the idea of treating with Bolsheviks, stating that Bolsheviks destroying fundamental part of Russian national life and therefore a compromise would not bring about a solution present question.
In Krasnoyarsk, there is lively, powerful comment on decision Allies and all expressed surprise and disappointment at their action. A compromise with Bolsheviks cannot be considered. By not taking same stand Allies show total lack of understanding of nature of Bolsheviks and fail to pay debt which they owe Russia in this war [Page 46] with disregard their own interest and obligation to civilization. If Allies will cooperate Russians still able multiply sacrifices overthrow Bolsheviki.
In Irkutsk, Cadet newspaper Svobodny Krai perverting [sic] American Press Bureau telegrams about any Paris announcement and denounces Allied proposal as blow to the dignity of Russia saying Lenin’s army not a revolutionary army but consists of Germans, Malgars [sic], Letts and criminals and believe Allies not informed of internal conditions in Russia. Irkutsk merchants have held meeting protestations. Socialist newspapers understand Allied programmes but point out that armistice only useful if Bolsheviks will leave their irreconcilable position because democrats will never forgive Bolsheviks for usurping the people’s power from Constituent Assembly. Impression is that men [Mensheviks?] and Cadets bitterly disapprove Allied suggestion but other parties are acquiescing. Harris.”