861.00/4481a: Telegram
The Commanding General of the American Expeditionary Forces in Siberia (Graves) to The Adjutant General (Harris)
[Received at the War Department May 7.]
281. Paragraph 1. Slaughter42 telegraphs that Soukin, Foreign Minister, has just told him in substance as follows: That reports as to conduct of American soldiers places the Government in a very delicate position on account of the railroad guards in which American soldiers are coming toward Irkutsk; that contact and cooperation with American soldiers is impossible because America is not yet convinced of the right and justice of our cause and so fails to sympathize with us; that American troops, who do not sympathize with the Russian Government, coming so close to the seat of government would weaken this Government without in any way assisting it; that it might promote a feeling that America in her position of spectator is passive against the Government and so encourages resistance to our authority which is now making itself felt in this region; that small incidents so close to them would be more easily seized by Japanese propagandists to still further antagonize Russian people and create a feeling between Russia and America; that we are sincere in this statement and unless the American troops can come as the open and avowed enemy of Bolshevism we believe that their coming constitutes a real danger for the Government and for the traditional friendship of Russia and America. In pursuance of these beliefs General Romanoffsky has been instructed to protest to the railroad committee as to the distribution of foreign troops as guards. The British and French have been instructed to sustain his objections and belief that American troops should not come to Irkutsk. End of statement.
Paragraph 2. Colonel Morrow has just telegraphed from Verkhneudinsk that the Russian General, citing authority of Kolchak, states Russian guard in Baikal sector assigned to Americans must not be changed and the Russians are increasing their guard, and will not vacate railroad and guard barracks in our sector.
Paragraph 3. This action of Kolchak shown by these two telegrams might indicate that object mentioned in my telegram 23843 has been accomplished. I am inclined to think, however, that the Kolchak adherents believe they are able to handle the situation without our military, and by our policy of non-interference we are a [Page 492] source of weakness to Kolchak. This is probably true as a great percentage of Russians consider the American Government as the ideal government for them. The fact that we are the only foreign power here not supporting Kolchak causes Russians who believe in American form of government to mistrust and oppose him. This creates a situation demanding immediate consideration. The Cossacks are just as opposed to us as they are to peasants and others who will not support them. The Japanese control these armed Cossacks in eastern Siberia and will embroil us with them when it suits their purpose to do so. Ivanoff’s troops are now interfering with the operation of eastern section of the railroad under American guard, and General Michaloff is doing the same in Baikal Section. We cannot submit to interference, if we do we fail in our duty to keep trains moving. Russian military claims it is a military necessity. Any trouble with Cossack troops will be used by Japanese for propaganda purposes against the United States.
Paragraph 4. The conduct of American soldiers has been very good, although many false and malicious reports are made against them, such as American soldiers committed some specified offense but never in such detail that falseness of charge can be established. I will not move from Lake Baikal to any other part of the railroad and such a proposition is an insult to the United States.
Paragraph 5. The British and French military here have no troops and are not guarding any part of the railroad but are determined if possible to force the use of American troops to act against all armed forces not supporting Kolchak. My belief is the people in eastern Siberia have no confidence in Kolchak representatives here consequently they lack confidence in his promises. Ivanoff-Rinoff has sent punitive expeditions to various parts of this province and the Japanese have sent such expeditions to various parts of Amur Province. I have absolute proof that Ivanoff’s troops have tortured, killed and robbed the people. I also have similar reports with reference to actions of Japanese troops but have no means of establishing the truth of these reports. This has created a situation which I believe will have to be fought out by the Russian factions in eastern Siberia. If we continue our policy here we will almost surely have armed conflict with Russian troops as they are determined we cannot remain in Siberia and continue the policy of noninterference and they claim such policy is impossible under existing conditions. The Bolsheviks call attention to our failure to help Kolchak and this has great influence with the peasants.
Paragraph 6. We are now squarely up against the proposition of using force or getting out as the Russian military are coming our [Page 493] sector and evidently are not only going to ignore us but practically attempt to take over our duty in guarding railroads.