861.00/4266: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Morris) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received April 13, 1:44 a.m.]
After extended conferences with Consul General Harris, and at his suggestion, I submit the following comments.
Although my experience has been wholly in eastern Siberia and that of Harris largely in western Siberia we find ourselves in substantial agreement on the observations and conclusions which he submitted to the Department in his telegram from Vladivostok of April 2nd, 10 [11] p.m.56 and which I consider a valuable summary of the present situation.
[Page 332]Ref erring to the numerical suggestions in his telegram:
- 1st.
- I would hesitate at present to suggest even a de facto recognition of the Kolchak government although I fully concur in a policy of encouragement and friendliness provided Kolchak’s attitude continues to justify it. I still entertain serious doubts as to the permanency of the Kolchak régime.
- 2d.
- I am constrained to dissent from the second suggestion. I believe that an Allied loan to assist railway operation is essential, but I feel that any loan to the Kolchak government at this time would be both unwise and inexpedient.
I am in complete accord with the four remaining suggestions.
I believe that Harris is entitled to great credit for the zeal and energy he has shown during the past year under extremely difficult conditions but he is greatly in need of additional men. If he could have ten additional men assigned to him for consular work it would be of immense value to our interests in Siberia. We have at present in addition to Vladivostok and Irkutsk temporary consulates at Chita, Krasnoyarsk, Tomsk, Novo Nikolaievsk, Ekaterinburg, and Cheliabinsk.
We should have additional consulates at Gusrovsk [Khabarovsk?], Blagoveschensk, Semipalatinsk, Barnaul, Penn [Perm?], and Kurgan. Only in this way can we be kept in close touch with local movements and assist Americans engaged in varied activities in Siberia.