861.00/5545: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Tenney) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:20 p.m.]
[From Harris at Omsk:]
452. Bolsheviki continue to advance rapidly with superior forces. By flank movement they are now about 30 versts south of Petropavlovsk and approaching through open country away from railway. On morning of 28th they were 83 versts [northwest?] of Petropavlovsk on railway line. Situation is critical.
The Government has practically decided upon a general evacuation of Omsk. Kolchak also insists that all heads of departments should retire Irkutsk and establish Government there. The gold is now being loaded but will not be sent away from Omsk until Kolchak himself leaves. The foreign missions will remain as long as the Government.
[Page 446]With the rapid developments of the past ten days on this front, because of the reported defeat of Yudenitch near Petrograd and the checkmating of Denekine, it appears the Bolsheviki have scored on all fronts and are gaining a new lease of life. At this critical stage I again place before the Department the extreme seriousness of the situation. While there is nothing immediately alarming yet it may shortly become so. I reiterate that if Kolchak falls Bolshevism will extend at least to Lake Baikal. I respectfully suggest that the Department take the initiative [in urging?] Prague government to issue an order for 25,000 Czechs to advance to this front and save the situation. At the same time I respectfully suggest that the Allies recognize Kolchak. Such a step would strengthen Kolchak in the same degree as it would dishearten the Bolsheviki. The time has now arrived to make the issue clean cut. Any delay simply encourages and spreads Bolshevism and all that it stands for. All other governments in Russia opposed to Bolshevism have recognized Kolchak. Why do the Allies delay longer? I am now satisfied that Kolchak cannot last much longer unaided and the above suggestions appear the only way out. The Siberian Army is fighting well, yet if the Bolsheviki continue to advance as rapidly as at present Omsk will fall in four weeks’ time. It is believed that at least 50 percent of the Czech soldiers are willing to fight the Bolsheviki again, and thus secure their return home across European Russia. The situation is extremely serious and urgent. Harris.