861.00/4435: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Commission to Negotiate Peace
1877. In response to inquiry for his views as to recognition of Omsk Government, Ambassador Morris replies as follows:
“May 3, noon. If Great Britain and France decide to recognize the Kolchak Government I think we should do likewise and urge similar action by Japan. Unity of action in Siberia is more important than the character of the action. Frankly I would prefer to see recognition postponed until the Kolchak Government shows more willingness to define its purposes and policy and less subserviency to reactionary influence. If, however, the Associated Governments decide that the general situation in Russia as a whole calls for recognition of a Siberian Government, important that a statement will be first obtained [Page 340] from Kolchak and his colleagues defining their own position on the fundamental issues of the revolution, the land problem, the state of self-government, freedom of speech and uncensored communication and the calling as soon as practicable of a constituent assembly.”
In this connection Stevens at Harbin reports as follows.
“April 30, 4 p.m. Reports from Technical Board, Irkutsk. Anti-Siberian Government has threatened (?) plan to stop transportation, weaken government railway men. I believe now is the psychological moment to extend some measures recognition Siberian Government, strengthen hands. Whatever it is there is nothing other than it in sight that gives promise of maintenance of order, failing which, unrestrained anarchy. Such action would greatly assist in restoration of American prestige, which is badly damaged.
The following telegram from Consul Caldwell bears further on the necessity for a united policy on the part of the Governments represented in Siberia.
“278, May 5, 7 p.m. Referring to my telegram 262 April 24 [29], 5 p.m.,62 and to General Graves’ 281, May 4.63 Contention of Omsk Government that if we are not actively assisting them we are hindering and I am convinced that American troops in Siberia acting under present policy are not only accomplishing no useful purpose but are doing actual harm in tending to prolong the disturbed conditions. The time has come for us to either withdraw our troops or to actively support the Omsk Government, preferably the latter. If troops are withdrawn all foreign troops should go together, but it would be better to leave the field to the Japanese military … than to continue as we are now. Support to Omsk Government should be given by all the Allies acting in unison and should not involve any use of military force beyond that which is already provided for in the railway agreement but in so doing it should be understood that we are supporting the Omsk Government which in its turn should be made to issue a definite statement as to calling a constituent assembly and certain other reforms. At the same time we should see that the various trouble making military leaders claiming to support Omsk Government in this district receive orders from that Government prescribing proper conduct for forces and we should see that these orders are obeyed. This would also ensure all support to these various factions being given with the knowledge and consent of all the Allies and through the Omsk Government.
This of course necessitates a new declaration from all the foreign nationalities having troops in Russia which can be brought into line. This declaration should show that Allies support the Omsk Government in its endeavors to build up a real Government through the methods set forth in the declaration of that Government regarding constituent assembly referred to above. This telegram has been written after consultation with and has the full approval of General Graves as well as Captain Watts.”64
To my mind these telegrams bear out my own opinion that all the Governments concerned in the railway plan should recognize the Omsk Government as a de facto government in Siberia and in such other parts of Russia as may now or hereafter be under its actual control.
Upon taking the oath of office Admiral Kolchak solemnly declared that the power conferred on him would be relinquished to the All-Russian Government which would be created by a properly constituted Constituent Assembly. Referring to your 1890 [1980], May 4, 6 p.m., I am confident that if the Omsk Government were aware that recognition was at hand they would willingly issue a satisfactory statement providing for the convening of a Constituent Assembly or other constitutional means for ascertaining the will of the people at the earliest date when such a meeting would be practicable, and also make adequate recommendations regarding the freedom of the press, of speech, and of meeting, and the safeguarding of private life and property and the observance of foreign obligations and undertakings. The recognition would, of course, be provisional upon such a declaration being made.