861.00/5665: Telegram
The American member of the Inter-Allied Railway Committee (Smith) to the Secretary of State, transmitted by the Consul at Vladivostok (Macgowan)
[Received November 16, 10:14 a.m.]
594. Following from Smith:
“During the last few days Matsudaira and I have talked regarding Siberian Railway situation. He stated that the Japanese troops could not guard the line under existing conditions and that something must be done to gain the confidence of the masses; that this could be done through a parliament of the self-governing bodies of Siberia and that he felt that America and Japan should quickly formulate a plan of economic relief else there would be great suffering here this winter. He inferred that it would not be difficult to agree on such a plan.
On 13th … Japanese member of Parliament … here, told me as follows: That General Oi, who has just returned from a long trip of inspection to Chita and the Amur limits, stated that he now realized the impossibility of getting Russian officers to view situation normally; they only wanted to establish the old regime and hated the common people; that the only salvation was to have a government composed of the Zemstvos and other self-governing organizations; that the Japanese officers had believed Russian officers when told that certain other Russians were Bolsheviki, but now they find they were deceived; that the vast majority of the people are not Bolsheviki, but are merely fighting the old regimists.
… himself feels that it will be impossible to succeed with Kolchak as his name is discredited; that his government will fall very soon and that Japan and America should tell the self-governing bodies to meet to form their own government; that the Allies coming under Japan and America should furnish economic aid through the Zemstvos and Cooperatives in return for raw material; that no more arms should be given these people; he believes that it would never be possible to establish a monarchy in Russia or to gain the confidence of the masses through the old regimists; that Semenoff and Kalmikoff can be easily handled; that the Japanese had made a terrible mistake in dealing with such men and that it would be almost impossible for Japan to regain the friendship of the Russians. He thinks that the large majority of the Cossacks are not and never have been pro-Omsk; that Omsk has been surrounded by an unprincipled lot of men who had only self-interest. He stated that Japan and America should at once formulate a joint plan of [Page 597] economic relief to the Zemstvos and Cooperatives. He thinks that the Japanese military will now follow any plan adopted by the two Governments.
All the above might have seemed like white-washed words had … not given me translations of two articles contributed by him. … He gives five reasons for the failure of Kolchak’s troops and the important and fundamental one is that the troops have no enthusiasm for the war. He says that 98 to 99 percent of the people feel the same; that Siberia wants to bear the same relation towards Russia that Canada does to England; that it will soon have a Government [of] Zemstvos and Cooperatives and that such a government will end ‘the greater part of the disorders by the so-called Bolsheviki’. He believes that Russia will eventually become a federated republic. He advocates non-interference in Russian politics.
In view of this apparent attitude of the Japanese civil authorities, the stand of her naval officers here and the apparent change coming over the Army, I feel that an economic plan can be arranged with the Japanese which they will follow but it must be done by representatives who thoroughly understand Siberian conditions else the Russian end will fail. I personally believe … is right. Repeated to Tokyo only part by request of Japanese. Smith.”