861.00/4543 a: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Commission to Negotiate Peace

1716. For the Secretary of State.

Since the time when American troops were ordered to Siberia to assist the Czechs and to “to steady any efforts at self-government or self defense in which the Russians themselves may be willing to accept assistance” this government has taken various steps to support the Russian forces in Siberia who were cooperating with the Czechs and the Allies and the Government at Omsk under which these forces were operating. For example, the British authorities were assisted in facilitating shipment of Russian rifles held by Russian Embassy here and understood to have been purchased with British credits; similar action taken regarding locomotives. The Embassy has also been assisted in securing licenses and necessary tonnage space either in commercial vessels or in army transports for shipment of rouble notes, shoes, rifles and railway material, including cars and locomotives purchased in this country by Russia from American credits and controlled here by the Embassy. This Government has also approved appointment as Chairman of Inter-Allied Committee for Siberian Railways, Oustrougoff, who incidentally is Minister of Ways of Communication of Omsk Government. While not dealing officially with Omsk Government, Consul General Harris and Consular officers under him have perforce been in more or less close touch, informally and unofficially, with Omsk authorities. The forces of General Graves are understood to have taken part in conjunction with Japanese and Czechs in engagements with Bolshevik forces operating with prisoners of war in their ranks. In these and other ways, this Government has manifested a friendly disposition towards the Omsk authorities which must have had a direct result in strengthening the Omsk Government. The British and French have sent forces to the Urals to take active part with the Russian forces of the Omsk Government operating against the Bolshevik armies.

While conditions in Eastern Siberia are reported to be still unsatisfactory, I believe that the situation will be relieved first: by the operation of the railways under Stevens and second; by our present efforts to secure a unity of policy on the part of Japan and ourselves and also the other Governments concerned, in regard to the employment [Page 337] of military forces now in Siberia. On the other hand, the reports of Consul-General Harris regarding conditions west of Lake Baikal show steady improvement of conditions and a constant accession of support and strength to the Omsk Government. I have sent you yesterday in separate cables the most recent opinions on this subject of Mr. Harris and Mr. Morris.

This information is sent you in connection with press reports here stating that recognition of the Omsk Government is contemplated upon initiative of American delegates at Paris and that Department of State is in cable communication with Allied Governments as to time and mode of procedure in making recognition effective.

Polk