[Enclosure-Telegram-Paraphrase] Relations between the All-Russian Government and the Siberian Government ОмSK, undated. [Received by the Russian Embassy, November 9, 1918.] Am transmitting for your information extracts from decree of November 4 of all-Russian government. The Siberian government has transferred the plenitude of power to the provisional all-Russian government. It has been resolved: 1. Owing to the creation of central governmental institutions, all the regional governments and representative bodies should cease to exist. 2. The formation anew of regional institutions is only possible after the all-Russian government will have recognized the right of certain regions to autonomous rule and after the supreme power will have in detail defined limits of competence of the regional institutions in questions of regional bearing. 3. The all-Russian government recognizes the already existing regional legislative acts; the amendment and annulment of such acts will be effected in the general legislative order. 4. In order to organize the all-Russian government with the greatest expediency, the central governmental bodies of the Siberian government shall act in the capacity of all-Russian bodies; alteration of these bodies and of their personnel will be effected in the general legislative order. 5. Establishing the unity of the Russian Army to be subordinate to a single supreme command, the all-Russian government grants certain units of this army regional denominations; such units are also allowed to have distinctive standards besides the national three-colored banner. The Directory is composed of members as previously announced. The Cabinet consists of the following persons: President, Vologodski; Vice President, Vinogradov; Minister of War and Navy, Admiral Kolchak; temporary chief of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Klyuchnikov; Minister of Interior, Gattenberg; Minister of Supplies, Serebryannikov; Minister of Finance, Mikhailov; Food Administrator, Zefirov; Minister of Justice, Starynkevich; Minister of Ways of Communication, Ustrugov; Minister of Public Instruction, Sapozhnikov; Minister of Labor, Shumilovski; Minister of Agriculture, Petrov; Minister of Commerce and Industry (temporarily) Shchukin; Minister of Post and Telegraph, Tseslinski; State Controller, Krasnov; Manager of the Affairs of the Council of Ministers, Telberg. File No. 861.00/3227 The Consul Detailed for Special Duty in Russia and Siberia (Jameson) to the Secretary of State1 [Telegram] TомSк, November 12, 1918. [Received November 17, 2.23 a. m.] 14. Having visited during autumn chief cities of central and western Siberia from Chita to Ekaterinburg, Russia, I submit here 1 Sent via the Legation in China. with brief report regarding political conditions in territory above mentioned as follows: (1) There is great political agitation by conflicting political (3) There is considerable friction between officials of new Rus- (5) Strong Bolshevik propaganda reinforced by anarchical and (6) Austrian and German war prisoners are constant menace because any more military [momentary] success of insurgents enables them to release thousands of these prisoners from prison camps, making formidable rebellion of small uprising. (7) There is strong monarchist movement gaining ground daily throughout Siberia. (8) Kerensky is in close touch with all-Russian government and it is feared will try to make himself part of it; believe any government with Kerensky as member will be failure as feeling against him intense. (9) There is strong feeling among many Russians that the American Government [un] willing to help Russians unless guaranteed concessions and commercial advantages; this feeling increased by efforts of our consular and commercial offices to collect information regarding economic and commercial assets and needs of Siberia. The Russians want help in establishing sound government and look to America as democratic government for assistance; our declared desire to help Russian people has hollow ring, when they need everything and can obtain nothing from us. (10) Our failure to send troops to support Russians and Czechs on Volga front in fighting against Bolsheviks and Germans has shaken Russian confidence in America. (11) And most important, the Russian Government must have help in many ways and very soon in order to continue to exist its leaders are determined to obtain help; if possible they prefer to obtain it from America, but if we do not give soon there is great danger they will make a bargain with Japan, offering large concessions for immediate and adequate help. (12) In this connection, Government may revert to monarchy; number of strongest leaders are known to favor, especially the men who are said to be negotiating with Japan. Shall be pleased to report in detail regarding any of the points above mentioned. Am convinced that this is the time for the American Government to show its desire to help the Russian people by actions. Suggest as first step that we have the embargo against imports into Siberia raised and see that Russians know that America has caused raising of embargo, not some other nation. Also suggest that American plans for relief and reconstruction work in Europe after the war be extended to Siberia immediately; namely, goods of all kinds shipped to Siberia including military supplies to enable new government to preserve order. If these two acts can be carried out at once you will secure the enthusiastic support for America of the vast majority of the Russian people. Acknowledge by telegraph. JAMESON File No. 861.00/3217 The Consul General at Irkutsk (Harris) to the Secretary of State1 [Telegram] IRKUTSK, November 12, 1918, 5 p. m. General situation to date. Banks in Siberia are greatly in need of money, especially small change. Commerce everywhere practically at a standstill. Difficult to keep down speculation. Cost of living increasing every day. Practically impossible to get robes, shoes, matches, candles, and many other necessities. Irkutsk quiet although heavily patrolled at night. Considerable Bolshevik unrest in Krasnoyarsk and kept down only by presence of soldiers. Vice Consul Palmer, Ekaterinburg, reports military situation stationary that front. Radio from Perm states that large reinforcements of Bolsheviks coming toward that city from Vyatka. Czechs on Ekaterinburg front being replaced by Russian troops. Vice Consul is of opinion if Czechs withdraw Russian army will fall to pieces. 1 Sent via the Legation in China. HARRIS File No. 861.00/3207 The Consul at Vladivostok (Caldwell) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] VLADIVOSTOK, November 13, 1918, 9 a. m. [Received 11.47 a. m.] 275. During last month Japanese have landed detachments of six to eight hundred troops at Possiet Harbor near Korean frontier and at various harbors east and north from here which has caused considerable Russian hostility and protests. Japanese staff have stated landing at Possiet was for repairing telegraph line but I have not heard reason given for landing at other harbors. At Possiet Japanese disarmed Korean force which claimed to be a part of the new Russian army. Japanese attitude and actions have tended to increase hostility felt toward them by a majority of Russians and also by other nationalities. However it is now stated that Japanese troops are being withdrawn from Archangel [Amur] Railway which should have somewhat quelling effect. File No. 861.00/3115 CALDWELL The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Russia (Francis) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, November 13, 1918, 5 p. m. 352. Consul General at Irkutsk reports text of message addressed to liberty-loving Poles received by courier and published by American Vice Consul at Ekaterinburg, contained following statement: "Allied and American troops are advancing from Archangel and Vladivostok.” 1 Department would be glad to know how such misunderstanding arose. LANSING File No. 861.00/3239 The Consul General at Irkutsk to the Secretary of State 2 [Telegram-Extract] KRASNOYARSK, November 16, 1918. 185. Referring to Consul Jameson's telegraphic report dated November 12, especially paragraphs numbered 9, 10, 11. These statements meet with my disapproval, for they do not represent actual 1See telegram No. 159, Oct. 31, from the Consul General at Irkutsk, ante, p. 419. Sent via the Legation in China. 2 facts and are misleading. I have met no Russian who believes Americans are unwilling to help unless concessions and commercial advantages are guaranteed them beforehand. The reference to the consular service is untrue. I am absolutely of the opinion that the President's decision not to send American troops to western Siberia and thus keep from becoming embroiled in the internal troubles of Russia is wise and sound and events are proving it. Russians will not play into hands of Japanese unless forced to. Whatever we do in Siberia should be done in a quiet, unostentatious manner. Attempts on some [our] part to advertise what we are doing and that we did it first will meet with resentment on part of Siberian people and other nations. HARRIS Representations of the American Government against the Size of Japanese Forces and the Degree of Control Assumed in Manchuria and Siberia, November 16, 1918-The Establishment of Kolchak as Supreme Governor at Omsk, November 18, 1918-Refusal of Semenov to Recognize Kolchak's Authority File No. 861.77/548 The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain (Page) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, November 16, 1918. 2856. I have to-day discussed with the Japanese Ambassador here the four points contained in the following telegram to the American Ambassador at Tokyo. [Here follows telegram of November 16, 1918, noon, to the Ambassador in Japan, infra.] Please take up this matter with the Minister of Foreign Affairs orally, leaving with him a copy of the text of the telegram sent to Ambassador Morris [except last paragraph]. Inform him also of substance of [last paragraph] and say to him that the United States desires to keep his Government fully informed of what it does in regard to Russia. I shall be very glad to know how far his Government shares the views of the United States and whether if he sees no objections the diplomatic representative of his Government at Tokyo will be informed accordingly. Repeat to Archangel for information. Repeat mutatis mutandis to Paris, Rome, except last sentence. File No. 861.77/548 LANSING The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Morris) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, November 16, 1918, noon. Referring to your November 12, 4 p. m.,1 and previous telegrams regarding Siberian situation, also Department's September 24, 1Vol. II, p. 283. |