861.77/1144: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Consul at Harbin (Jenkins)
For Stevens, and repeat to Am[erican] embassy Tokyo.
Your October 19, 6 p.m. As you may be aware already, the anti-Bolshevik forces in European Russia, have recently had decisive military successes. It is now more probable than at any time in the past that the Bolshevik Government will fall. On this account it is more important than ever that Kolchak be supported. Everything possible is being done to this end in Washington. A withdrawal of the Allied railway inspectors will bring about a most difficult situation for Admiral Kolchak at the very moment when everything else is more favorable to the success of his movement than at any time in the past. It is unfortunate that Allied troops are not available to replace the Czechs West of Lake Baikal. I understand thoroughly that under the conditions which existed a short time ago the absence of Allied troops would have necessitated unquestionably the departure of the Allied inspectors. The reports received during the last two days reveal, however, so radical an improvement in the general situation in Siberia that I feel justified in asking you that the inspectors be retained under Russian guard at least until the culmination of the critical events now taking place in European Russia. It would seem the more practicable to do this as the anti-Bolshevik successes in the West will certainly have a deterrent effect on Bolshevik agitators in Siberia.