861.00/6257: Telegram
The Consul at Harbin ( Jenkins ) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 28—6:25 p.m.]
From Harris, Chita:
“Czechs and Semenoff have arranged their difficulties so that Czechs will probably now be evacuated without further conflict. Attitude of the Japanese still uncertain. Doubtful if Japanese will attempt support Semenoff in Trans-Baikal as very large army of occupation would be necessary and extremely doubtful if same would succeed in the end.
Practically speaking Bolshevism now reigns supreme in Russia and Siberia. Reported here that Czech rear guard now fighting Bolshevik near Krasnoyarsk. All contact with Polish contingents that section lost and it is believed that Poles have negotiated armistice with Bolshevik and will return home through European Russia.
I shall proceeed soon to Harbin with American Red Cross female personnel where I shall wait until Czech echelons have passed. [Page 530] Unless otherwise instructed by the Department I shall return to Irkutsk and possibly Omsk in order to ascertain personally the state of affairs. The presence of the Social Revolutionaries will enable me to do so with safety and from my former experiences with Bolshevik I have no fear of harm from them. It is my intention with some slight changes to keep my organization together and I trust that the Department will continue to keep Colonels McCros-key and McCabe attached to me. These things are necessary in view of pending and important changes which are shortly sure to come in Russia and Siberia.
From my knowledge of the situation I have come to the conclusion that the Bolsheviki are moderating from their position of terrorism and that wholesale executions and plunderings now no longer obtain. To what extent they have receded from their position of nationalistic and communistic ideas I cannot state at present, but they certainly are not as extreme as formerly. I have no idea that one at all times can discuss with them any connecting plan, but I do believe that the time is come for us to get at very close range with them in order to study the situation. This I propose to do.
The American Red Cross still has from eight to ten train-loads of material in Vladivostok. I respectfully suggest that some plan be arranged whereby this material may be distributed to the Russian people in Russia and Siberia in accordance with the same plan which is now being done in Irkutsk, Chita, entirely without reference to politics. In my judgment this should be done and be placed in the hands of thousands of people who are now freezing to death for the want of clothing and are dying in exceedingly large numbers for the want of hospital supplies. I recommend a policy of this nature in view of the effect which it would have upon our future relations with Russia and especially so as these supplies are now at hand and needed in the winter.
Please telegraph me care of the consulate at Harbin.[”] Signed Harris.