861.77/951: Telegram
The American member of the Inter-Allied Railway Committee (Smith) to the Acting Secretary of State, transmitted by the Consul at Vladivostok (Caldwell)
[Received July 20, 8 a.m.]
416. [From Smith:]
A telegram was sent to the Omsk Government 18th July signed by all members of the Inter-Allied Committee except Horvath60 who agreed but felt he could not sign, as follows: [Page 512]
“Since March 1st the Allied Powers have been endeavoring to restore the Siberian transport system in conformity with the Inter-Allied Agreement to which the Russian Government is a party. Our aim has been to revive Russia and to place her again among leading nations without thought of other reward than that of seeing Russia a united whole and a free, democratic country which her people deserve. And we want no special interests, concessions, territorial advantages, or other selfish emoluments, but desire to have Russia maintain the open door policy to all friendly nations.
To date our efforts have only met with small success. This has been due entirely to the unresponsive actions of certain of the Government’s own agents. Russian military authorities, especially Semenoff, and the officers in charge of Russian military transportation have continually hindered and obstructed the movement of trains and the disposition of cars. The transport of Russian military supplies have been seriously diminished by their actions. The military are indispensable for their proper task of defending the railway. Their interference in its operation, however, is nothing but a hindrance to the civil authorities to whose admirable spirit of loyalty and cooperation the Committee can testify. The Committee also appreciates the action of Minister Ustrugov in his telegram of recent date relative to shop management and repairs, and feels that analogous action is required in the other departments of the administration.
In view of the above data we the undersigned members of the Inter-Allied Committee feel it is our duty to require that the following provisions be fulfilled immediately.
- 1.
- That Semenoff must at once stop his interference with the operation of the railway and also all other arbitrary and violent acts.
- 2.
- That all the military officers in charge of military transportation be required to obey the Committee’s resolution of May 2761 which says that only railway officials shall have the right to operate the railway.
- 3.
- That the general supervision, the technical and economic management and the operation of all railways in the zone where the Allied Powers are now operating be trusted to the Inter-Allied Committee and its subordinate board in accordance with the terms of the agreement entered into by the Allied Powers.
- 4.
- That no obstacle of whatever kind which would be in contravention to point 3 be imposed by any Russian governmental agency now existing or which may be created during the term of this agreement.
- 5.
- That an approval to this telegram is required at the very earliest moment.
The Committee is anxious to aid Russia and has the requisite funds at hand but does not consider that these can be applied to advantage unless the above requirements are fully complied with.”
Copies of the above have been sent to all Allied representatives in Omsk who are asked to present same at once to Government. Ambassador Morris will receive copy. Smith.