861.00/4598b: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Consul General at Irkutsk (Harris), temporarily at Omsk
Department has noted interview by Soukine with Associated Press representative telegraphed to this country under date of May 7. If you deem advisable you may say quite informally and unofficially to Mr. Soukine that the reaction from his remarks has been distinctly unfavorable to the Omsk Government and that he, consequently, may consider it advisable to adopt a course which will tend to foster a favorable public opinion in this country and which will enable this Government to carry out the plan in regard to the railways and also to permit the continued shipment to Russia of rifles, bank notes and other supplies including railway materials. The Department is perfectly aware of the difficult situation in Siberia and of the difficulties with which the Omsk Government has to contend, and suggests that you make this statement to Mr. Soukine merely so that he may not further increase those difficulties.