the Allied Governments. It is stated that Tchaninguy, the Chairman of the Moscow Committee of Chinese Workmen, is in a position to negotiate for the return of the workmen in question. His Majesty's Government propose, should the United States Government agree, to reply that they would be glad to afford all possible facilities, and they would therefore be glad to learn the views of the United States Government in the matter at an early date. WASHINGTON, February 24th, 1919. 861.00/3920 The Acting Secretary of State to the British Chargé (Barclay) MEMORANDUM The Acting Secretary of State presents his compliments to His Britannic Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires and has the honor to state that, for the reasons given in the Department's memoranda of January 25 and February 6 [8], 1919, the Government of the United States seriously questions the advisability of assisting at this time the return to China of Chinese workmen and coolies who have been under the influence of the Bolshevik rule in Russia. WASHINGTON, February 28, 1919. 861.00/4019 The British Ambassador (Reading) to the Acting Secretary of State His Britannic Majesty's Ambassador presents his compliments to the Acting Secretary of State and has the honour to inform him. that the proposal referred to in the Memorandum from this Embassy No. 144 of February 24th, was the result of a request from the Union of Chinese Workmen in Russia, which was transmitted in a wireless communiqué from the Bolshevist authorities, and has no connection with that contained in the Embassy's memorandum No. 57 of January 20th. His Majesty's Government have communicated the proposal mentioned in the Embassy's memorandum No. 144 to their representative at Pekin, for the observations of the Chinese Government, and they are awaiting a reply from Sir John Jordan. WASHINGTON, March 5th, 1919. 861.00/4019 The Acting Secretary of State to the British Ambassador (Reading) MEMORANDUM The Acting Secretary of State presents his compliments to His Britannic Majesty's Ambassador and in reply to the Embassy's Memorandum No. 171 of March 5, 1919, has the honor to state that Minister Reinsch was informed of the reference of the matter in question to the British Minister at Peking and was instructed to consult with the latter concerning the request received by the British Government from the Union of Chinese Workmen in Russia and to telegraph his views. Minister Reinsch has replied that it is felt that Bolshevik propaganda would find little material in China to work on as no social or class distinctions exist. He states that the Chinese Government is willing to have the workmen in question return but wants to know when and where they will enter China, for it is felt that among them are Manchurian bandits who might cause local trouble unless supervised. Advices received by the Department of State from other sources indicate that the request from the Union of Chinese Workmen now under consideration is part of a plan for promoting an armed uprising of Bolsheviks in Siberia and for carrying on revolutionary propaganda and establishing soviets in China. WASHINGTON, March 26, 1919. 861.00/4346 The British Ambassador (Reading) to the Acting Secretary of State His Britannic Majesty's Ambassador presents his compliments to the Acting Secretary of State and has the honour to inform him, with reference to the memorandum from the State Department of March 26th, that His Majesty's Government have telegraphed to their representative in Pekin informing them that it has been decided to drop the whole question of allowing Chinese Bolshevists to return to China, as this proposal seems to have found little favour on the part of the Governments who have been consulted. WASHINGTON, April 21st, 1919. CHAPTER II SIBERIA Campaigns in Western Siberia, and the Final Defeat of Kolchak 861.00/3577: Telegram The Minister in China (Reinsch) to the Acting Secretary of State PEKING, January 3, 1919. [Received January 4, 12:49 p.m.] Following from [Harris at] Omsk. "6. 3rd. Ufa has been evacuated by Siberian troops and small detachment Allied troops stationed there. While it is claimed that relinquishing Ufa has no great military signification, yet the moral effect on general situation is not good. Harris." REINSCH 861.00/3622b: Telegram The Acting Secretary of State to the Commission to Negotiate Peace WASHINGTON, January 10, 1919, 1 p.m. 165. For your information, for Secretary of State and repeat to London. Following is summary of report from American Military Observer at Ekaterinburg in the Urals. "I have just returned from Perm having left here December 27 and returning January 3rd. In the capture of Perm, the Siberian Army took 20,000 prisoners who were a poor lot of men, badly fed, most of them young and forced to fight. Perm itself appears deserted. The population are still cowed and stay indoors or else have been taken away by the Bolsheviki. Could find no evidence of actual atrocities. Very few appear to have been executed. Population for most part being terrorized by threats into submission. The city has been governed wholly without reference to Moscow or the will of the population but absolutely at dictation of the Bolshevik Commissaire. The Siberian Army captured about 20,000 prisoners, a large number of railway cars and 260 locomotives, 100 of which are in bad order. Very great problem is presented by this large number of prisoners who will probably be sent into Siberia. Russian prisoners of war coming through Ekaterinburg apparently from Germany and Austria, are telling of a big revolution in Europe and making a serious impression on the laboring classes." The Department regards the last sentence as another indication of the unrest which is being created by the Bolshevik movement. POLK 861.00/3626: Telegram The Minister in China (Reinsch) to the Acting Secretary of State PEKING, undated. [Received January 11, 1919, 11:06 p.m.] Following from [Harris at] Omsk. "14. 10th. General Gaida informed me today that he has resigned his command of the Czech troops and joined the Siberian Army as Lieutenant General. He, together with General Pepelyaev, will have charge of the operations on the western front. The plan is to concentrate troops in the direction of Viake [Viatka?] and Vologda in an attempt to reach Moscow by spring. Harris.["] REINSCH 861.00/3631: Telegram The Minister in China (Reinsch) to the Acting Secretary of State PEKING, January 13, 1919. [Received January 14, 10:30 a.m.] Following from [Harris at] Omsk. "24. 13th. Admiral Kolchak [has] informed me today that the situation in the Orenburg district was serious owing to the Social Revolutionary and Bolshevik propaganda. General Dutov1 has informed him that many of the British [Cossack?] soldiers were refusing to fight. Kolchak further stated that the situation on the Perm front was very good and that arrangements are being made to despatch troops south to checkmate the operations of Bolsheviks at Ufa. The Semenoff situation continued serious owing to the fact that railway communications, especially as concerned supplies, were being constantly threatened. Harris." REINSCH 861.00/3699: Telegram The Minister in China (Reinsch) to the Acting Secretary of State PEKING, undated. [Received January 24, 1919, 12:15 a.m.] Following from [Harris at] Omsk. "36, January 19th, 8 p.m. Vice Consul Palmer under instructions from me visited Perm and reports in substance: 1Ataman of the Orenburg Cossacks. The capture of Perm is of considerable importance, but since the fall of Ufa it is evident that the exchange was in favor of the Bolsheviks. Am informed that out of 260 railway engines only about 40 are available for use. Of the 5,000 cars captured at Perm undoubtedly the greater part are in good rolling condition. Judging from the goods seen at the station it would appear that the Bolsheviks had practically looted the city and packed their plunder in these 5,000 cars with the intention of evacuating, but plan was frustrated by rapid movement of Cossacks who took part to cut off retreat in the rear. The Bolsheviks apparently were not guilty of wholesale murder in Perm, but it is certain that they had begun to operate a plan of systematic starvation at the time city was relieved. On a triumphant arch they had built were the words, 'Only those who fight shall eat'. General Pepelyaev has expressed himself as not being entirely satisfied with the military situation, deeming it necessary to have reenforcements if he is to make his position absolutely secure in the Perm section. Harris." REINSCH 861.00/3707: Telegram The Minister in China (Reinsch) to the Acting Secretary of State PEKING, undated. [Received January 25, 1919, 9:29 a.m.] Following from [Harris at] Omsk: "54. 24th. Orenburg was occupied by Bolsheviks on January 22d. Harris." 861.00/3771: Telegram REINSCH The Minister in China (Reinsch) to the Acting Secretary of State PEKING, January 30, 1919. [Received January 31, 1:55 p.m.] Following from [Harris at] Omsk. "66. January 30, noon. Situation today's date in Omsk. Siberian troops have suffered reverse at Kungur which endangers Perm front. It is thought Siberian troops in Perm may possibly be cut off. Considerable disaffection brewing among soldiers owing to news from Paris Conference concerning attitude towards Bolsheviki in attempt arrange compromise between all Russian groups.2 'See papers relating to proposed conference at Prinkipo, pp. 1 ff. 118353-37-20 |