861.01/163a: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Commission to Negotiate Peace

[Paraphrase]

3296. For Polk.

You are confidentially informed that as soon as President Wilson is able to attend to business the Secretary is seriously considering recommending to him that formal recognition be granted to the Omsk Government. It is, however, the wish of the Secretary that you submit whatever information you can give as to the attitude [Page 437] on this subject of the other members of the Council. The Department naturally wishes that the United States should take the lead if Kolchak is to be recognized, but I desire your opinion as to whether a simultaneous recognition by the five Powers which collectively agreed last May and June to aid the Omsk Government with food, supplies, and munitions would not be better.

Phillips