861.00/6317
The Secretary of War (Baker) to the Under Secretary of State (Polk)
Dear Mr. Polk: Referring to your letter of January 28th, in which you again discuss the concentration of the American troops at Vladivostok preliminary to their transportation to the Philippine Islands, I would advise you that General Graves himself, with a small contingent of American troops, now plans to remain at Vladivostok until about April 1st, when the movement of the Czecho-Slovaks to their native country will have been largely under way.
The reports which the Department has received from General Graves, copies of which have been furnished the State Department from time to time, indicate that the movement of the Czechs will at all times furnish a sufficient supply of their soldiers to fill the transports and Shipping Board vessels assigned by General Hines to their repatriation.
The condition of affairs at Vladivostok, although the Revolutionists are in possession of the City, appears to be well in hand and everything is reported as quiet. It is not believed that any hindrance will be made by the Russians or any faction in Siberia to the withdrawal of the American troops as planned. The sailings of our troops which have already been made leave approximately 6,000 men of our Army still in Siberia and it is now proposed that the entire movement shall have been accomplished by about the first of April.
Sincerely yours,