861.00/6479: Telegram
The Consul General at Irkutsk (Harris), temporarily at Vladivostok, to the Secretary of State
[Received March 1—6:27 p.m.]
Vice Consul Hansen reports in substance from Chita that the loyal troops of the former Kolchak army which have arrived at [apparent omission] are in no condition to fight. After their retreat of more than 2,000 versts their condition has become wretched. They lack clothing, are hungry, and a large per cent of them frostbitten. Kappel64 died of spotted typhus before reaching Irkutsk. These troops are going to Chita for rest, new equipment, and supplies. Generals Janin and Syrovy65 are at Verchniudinsk. There are still 60 Czech echelons west of Irkutsk. Colonel Johnson reports Janin personally responsible for slow progress of Czechs through Chita. Czechs west of Irkutsk in very bad condition. Large proportion men have frostbitten limbs and are inadequately clothed resulting from recent rear guard fights with Bolsheviki. Feeling among Russians very bitter for Kolchak’s [surrender] to Bolsheviki by Janin.
Conditions on the surface in Chita quiet and will most likely remain so as long as main body of Czechs still west of Chita.
[Page 537]American Red Cross doing splendid work Chita. Local papers publishing daily letters of appreciation written by those receiving supplies. Distribution made by Red Cross has been very effective. Semenoff has cooperated in every way to make Red Cross distribution effective among civilian population. Further, Semenoff has fought every attempt on the part of his military organization to receive Red Cross supplies, declaring civilian population must be supplied first. No further news of Red Cross or engineer men captured by Bolsheviki at [Klyuchinskaya].66