for the purpose furthering their rapid evacuation, otherwise he, Semenoff, will resist their passage through his territory by force. Whole situation surrounding relations between Czechs and Russians greatly aggravated by the fact that Czech soldiers stationed in the vicinity of Krasnoyarsk, and practically amounting to 30,000 men, have completely got out of control and their officers apparently now have little influence over them. They hold meetings and decide things for themselves and at the present moment they are fully determined upon rapid evacuation as they have heard that a large number of steamships have arrived at Vladivostok for them. Foreign representatives in Irkutsk are doing everything in their power to get both Semenoff and Czech soldiers to be reasonable and not precipitate a conflict which may have very serious results. I have hopes that things will pass off smoothly. There is no change in the situation. Harris.” TENNEY 861.00/5987: Telegram The Chargé in China (Tenney) to the Secretary of State PEKING, December 26, 1919, 4 p.m. [Received December 26, 11:53 a.m.] Following from Harris [at Irkutsk] in substance. "25th. Social Revolutionary uprising. Irkutsk station across the river held by Social Revolutionaries, but Irkutsk city still held by Kolchak troops. There is a possibility no fighting and I expect that Czech troops are guaranteeing peace. Conference of Allied representatives today decided that gold which is in possession of Kolchak, who is nearest Achinsk, should be taken in charge and guarded by the Czechs. Allied representatives are remaining here for the present American Red Cross nurses and personnel safe. I expect peace to be concluded in a few days. A few arrests have been made of ministers. Social Revolutionaries claim that they are in possession from Polovidi to Irkutsk station while latest reports show that Kolchak is slowly approaching Irkutsk. Communication interrupted between Irkutsk station and city and passage of river difficult as only small Czech boat in operation at present. Every effort will be made to keep the Department informed." TENNEY 861.00/5995: Telegram The Ambassador in Japan (Morris) to the Secretary of State TOKYO, December 27, 1919, 10 a.m. [Received December 27, 9:50 a.m.] Telegrams from Irkutsk dated December 24th and 25th sent to the Japanese General Staff state that the Fifty-third Regiment of the Siberian Army which was guarding the railway station at Irkutsk has mutinied and taken control of the station and the railway yards abroad [sic]. Harris and other Allied representatives are living in trains. In addition local Bolshevik bands are reported to be marching on Irkutsk from both north and south and are now within thirty kilometres of the city. The Japanese General Staff is also advised that Kolchak has reached Irkutsk but that he is without any reliable troops and that a condition of serious unrest prevails throughout the entire district. General Oi has sent from the Baikal region approximately a thousand men, infantry, artillery and cavalry, to insure the protection of the Baikal tunnels. The Japanese General Staff is still eager to send at least two battalions of infantry to Irkutsk to keep order there, and if necessary to protect the evacuation of the foreign representatives and agencies, but hesitates to act without our concurrence and support. Under date of December 21, Harris telegraphed that American Red Cross trains had passed Taiga and were expected in Irkutsk in the near future but he makes no mention of any disturbance at Irkutsk. I have had no word from the Foreign Office in regard to these recent developments but the Military Attaché tells me that General Tanaka and the officers of the General Staff appear greatly concerned and have urged him to impress upon me the necessity of sending to Irkutsk both American and Japanese troops at the earliest moment possible. I understand that Ambassador Shidehara is making further representations to you. MORRIS 861.00/6003: Telegram The President of the Technical Board (Stevens) to the Secretary of State HARBIN, December 27, 1919, 6 p.m. Reliable information through our inspectors Kolchak government completely overthrown. Irkutsk and several smaller cities west of there in the possession of Social Revolutionists. Czech commanderin-chief replying Semenoff very defiant straightforward [sic] and it is reliably reported that fighting has taken place. Americans apparently in no danger in disturbed districts as the Czechs will provide protection. Telegraphic communication is interrupted Chita and Irkutsk but the Czechs will not permit Semenoff to stop operation railway. Disregard criticism of Czechs, they are fully justified in their acts. The situation in and around Vladivostok is serious. Russian soldiers on the coal branch guarded by Americans revolted. I expect political overthrow at Vladivostok. STEVENS 861.00/6027 : Telegram The Chargé in China (Tenney) to the Secretary of State [From Harris:] PEKING, December 28, 1919. [Received December 30, 9:37 a.m.] ["] 523, December 28, 8 a.m. Kolchak has sent telegram to Horvat and Semenoff to oppose passage of Czechs and if necessary blow up bridges. It is felt by Allied representatives here that Kolchak's mentality is breaking up under the tremendous strain of the past two months. The tone of the telegrams which he has forwarded to Czechs and the foreign representatives here would almost indicate this. It is felt here that Czech-American-Japanese forces are sufficient in the trans-Baikal to safeguard tunnels [and] bridges. Harris." TENNEY 861.00/6029: Telegram The Chargé in China (Tenney) to the Secretary of State PEKING, undated. [Received December 30, 1919, 12:05 p.m.] [From Harris at] Irkutsk: ["] 424, December 28, 9 a.m. Referring to Department's telegram December 18, 5 p.m. Kolchak's government is finished. Attitude the Bolsheviki in general has not changed. Attitude toward Cossacks and peasants western Siberia technically lenient in order to procure food supplies. Bolshevism exists today from Lake Baikal westward to Moscow. Bolsheviki power still held by terrorism. Trotsky has been at Omsk. Not the slightest arrangements have thus far been made for election of delegates to general constituent assembly on the part of Bolsheviki. Unfortunately Czecho soldiers have assisted in breaking up the Kolchak government thus helping the Bolsheviki. It is impossible to do constructive work with Bolshevikism, as now constituted, for reason that sound economics and finance can not exist under their rule. Social Revolutionaries now in charge of Irkutsk station are exploiting [exactly?] the same band of Bolsheviki which I knew one year and adopted [a half?] ago when I was shut up in Irkutsk under the Bolshevik regime. Harris." TENNEY Inter-Allied Agreement for Supervision of the Chinese Eastern and the Siberian Railways 861.77/611: Telegram The Ambassador in Japan (Morris) to the Acting Secretary of State TOKYO, January 9, 1919, 12 midnight. [Received January 10, 7:10 p.m.] 31 As reported in my January 9, 7 p.m.,31 immediately upon receipt of a copy of Stevens' telegram to the Department accepting plan for operation of the railways,82 I called upon the Minister for Foreign Affairs and informed him that the plan would be approved by our Government. I acted quickly because two days ago my British colleague received instructions to submit [a] plan and urge its acceptance. Fortunately the instructions were so garbled that he was compelled to ask for a repetition, and thus I was enabled to counsel with the Minister for Foreign Affairs before my British colleague was in a position to carry out his instructions. I have just notified him that the matter is concluded and he tells me that he will not act upon the repeated telegram when received, and he assumes that you will now cordially endorse the agreement which we have reached with Japan. I submitted to Viscount Uchida and obtained his approval of following memorandum of points which we had previously discussed and agreed on: "1st. That Viscount Uchida will forward the amended plan to Viscount Ishii with instructions to present it to the Department of State, and to explain that it is submitted with the understanding that Mr. Stevens be named as President. 2d. That the Inter-Allied Committee shall be composed of one representative of each of the following Governments: China, France, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States, leaving question of Czecho-Slovaks to be discussed. 3d. That each of the above named Governments shall select one technical railway expert for membership on the Technical Board. [4th.] That Mr. Stevens' selection as President shall not prevent his selection as a member of the Technical Board. 5th. That the Governments of Japan and the United States shall at once advise the above named Associated Governments of agreed plan, including the understanding in reference to the selection of Mr. Stevens, and request their adherence and cordial cooperation. 6th. That this plan shall be interpreted as a sincere effort to join [temporarily to operate] the Chinese-Eastern and Trans-Siberian Railways in the interest of the Russian people with a view to their ultimate return to those in interest without the impairing of any existing rights. 7th. That in trusting to Mr. Stevens as President the technical operation of these railways, it is understood the Governments of Japan and the United States are both prepared to give him the authority and support which will be necessary to make his efforts effective." Viscount Uchida suggested that our two Governments might agree to instruct their Ambassadors to join in advising the Associated Governments of the understanding reached. He further expressed the hope that I would go to Vladivostock to assist in the preliminary arrangement. Stevens also telegraphed as follows: "Presume matter should be closed up at Vladivostock and you should be there by all means." I would appreciate the Department's judgment as to the wisdom of my leaving for Vladivostok in the near future. In the event of my going I would request authorization to take with me Thomas Smith, one of the coding clerks who speaks Russian, and Ballantine, who speaks Japanese. MORRIS 861.77/609 Telegram The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Morris) WASHINGTON, January 11, 1919, 6 p.m. Unless you prefer other action Department suggests you forward following to Stevens: "For your information following telegram received from Consul General Harris at Omsk dated 8th. Suggest you may consider it advisable, if you have not already done so, to communicate to him result of railway negotiations and relations which you may wish to establish with Omsk railway authorities: 'The Omsk Government has appealed to me to place before the Department the immediate and imperative necessity that the managing control of the Siberian Railway be taken over by the American Railway Commission. It is admitted without reserve that the Russians do not possess either the technical ability or administrative qualities for organization that are necessary at this critical time to keep the railway running, and if present conditions last for a space |