Horvat authorized me to-night to inform the Government of the United States that if it cared to indicate its willingness to support him with money and men under American or Allied direction he would immediately organize a provisional government for Siberia here, composed of representatives of all the parties and endeavor to restore definite order in Siberia. He would turn [over] to the United States operation of Siberian, Manchurian railways until the end of the war and with cooperation Allied forces afford protection to the [omission] of war and prevent the movement accumulated Siberian stores of [by] the enemy. And government would follow the military forces into Siberia and when order was restored submit itself to popular election. He would guarantee a republican form of government and recognize no peace with the Central powers [except] in concert with the United States. If America considers this proposal favorably each of the Allies will be asked for support at the same time. Personnel of Horvat's organization, substantially same as mentioned in my telegram March 27, 4 p. m.,1 is strongest and much more representative Russian in American experience [sic], and comprising Social Democrats, socialist and moderate republicans, I believe can not be properly charged with Jesuit [monarchist] intentions. Believe other factions Siberia are preparing to ask American assistance and think they would support Horvat government if propaganda makes its aims clear and shows Allies will support him. Siberia trusts only America. MOSER Landing of Japanese Forces at Vladivostok, April 5, 1918; British Landing: Attitude of the United States-Formation of the Autonomous Siberian Government, the Far Eastern Committee, and the Chinese Eastern Railway Governing Board-The Webster-Hicks Reports on Armed Prisoners-Appearance of the Czecho-Slovaks File No. 861.00/1428 The Consul at Vladivostok (Caldwell) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] VLADIVOSTOK, April 4, 1918, 11 p. m. [Received April 5, 5.50 a. m.] At 11 o'clock a. m., five armed Russians entered Japanese office in central district this city, demanded money, and when refused shot three Japanese killing one and seriously wounding others. CALDWELL 1 See telegram of Mar. 29, 6 p. m., from the Chargé in China, ante, p. 93. File No. 861.00/1429 The Consul at Vladivostok (Caldwell) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] VLADIVOSTOK, April 5, 1918, 7 a. m. Referring to my April 4, 11 p. m. Japanese landed armed forces from their two cruisers about 5 o'clock a. m., and are patrolling city. Armed opposition unlikely if British and American forces operate with the Japanese or Japanese have immediate reenforcements. Japanese Consul notified Russian officials in letter, copy of which I have received about 6 o'clock a. m., stating that Japanese Rear Admiral was landing armed forces to protect life and property of Japanese. CALDWELL File No. 861.00/1420 The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Russia (Francis) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, April 5, 1918, 4 p. m. 45. Your 61, April 2, 7 p. m. Both British and French made request sometime ago which prompted statement to Japanese Government contained in Department's No. 2108, dated March 11.1 Department now has assurance no action will be taken without full understanding with Allies or United States Government. LANSING File No. 861.00/1428 The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Russia (Francis) [Telegram] WASHINGTON, April 5, 1918, 6 p. m. 47. At 11 p. m. [a. m.?], April 3 [4], five Russian soldiers entered a Japanese shop at Vladivostok and demanded money. Upon refusal three Japanese were killed. At about 5 a. m. the morning of April 4 [5], troops were landed from the two Japanese cruisers in the harbor and are now patrolling the city. The Japanese Admiral has furnished commanders of both British and American vessels, and also 1 See footnote 1, ante, p. 67. the American Consul, with a statement that his only purpose in landing men from his ships was to protect Japanese life and property. Advise Moscow. File No. 861.00/1437 LANSING The Ambassador in Japan (Morris) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] TOKYO, April 5, 1918, 10 p. m. My British colleague has recently resumed his informal conversations on the subject of intervention in Siberia. On March 30 he conveyed to the Minister for Foreign Affairs the unanimous opinion of the British military authorities that intervention would be of strategic value to the Allied cause at this time. But the attitude of the Japanese Government as expressed in its memorandum of March 18 [19] has remained unchanged, and public interest has subsided although it is of course impossible to foresee the results of the landing at Vladivostok reported in my April 5, 4 p. m.2 1 Viscount Ishii sailed yesterday by the Siberia Maru several weeks earlier than he had originally planned. For the past two weeks he has been in daily conference with the leading statesmen in and out of office, and is prepared to state frankly the Japanese position as he understands it, both as to Siberia and as to China. During the discussions here, I have seen him frequently and he has consistently advocated a policy of no action in Siberia without the fullest understanding with our Government. Ministerial changes are still likely in the near future. Viscount Motono is seriously ill and this may hasten hinted retirement which has been imminent for some time. Uchida is much talked of as his MORRIS successor. File No. 861.00/1442 The Prime Minister of the Provisional Government of Autonomous Siberia (Derber) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] HARBIN, undated. [Received April 6, 1918, 7.31 p. m.] Siberian Provincial Duma, formed by representatives of Zemstvos, Municipalities, Cooperative Societies, other public organizations and nationalities, organized a government of autonomous Siberia. The immediate aims of the Siberian government are: (1) Establishing legitimate order with view to securing personal and property inviolability; (2) Active opposition to Bolsheviks in order to establish the (4) Convention of the All-Siberian Constituent Assembly; (7) Taking all measures to counteract the further German ad- Taking up these difficult and responsible tasks the government of autonomous Siberia recognizes that it is able to accomplish them only on condition of an energetic assistance to Russia from the Allied powers. The government of autonomous Siberia is fully convinced that it will receive active assistance from the United States knowing that the indicated aims of the government coincide with interests of your country which takes interest in establishing normal order and preventing of political and economical influence of Germany that is possible in Siberia as well as hindering Germany from availing herself of food and raw material for further fighting the Allies. Prime Minister DERBER Member Council Imperial [of Ministers] File No. 861.00/1455 The Counselor of Embassy in Russia (Wright) to the Secretary of State1 [Telegram] HARBIN, April 6, 1918, 8 a. m. Your March 30, 5 p. m.,2 to Consul. I arrived here night of April 1 and have apprised Stevens of situation as quoted in my telegram of March 26,3 and of my conferences with Admiral Knight. I am 1 Garbled text subsequently corrected by Mr. Wright. 2 Ante, p. 94. 3 * Ante, p. 89. gratified to find that our opinions concur regarding specific questions in your instructions. The express to which our cars were attached was delayed five times for periods of two to four hours each by demobilized soldiers who commandeered engine for their use notwithstanding the objections of the railroad officials. In three instances where we were forced to await arrival of troop trains of soldiers and sailors, the occupants hurled vilest and most obscene epithets at the express, spitting on the train and crying" down with the bourgeoisie!" Surly men in uniform boarded and traveled on the train without difficulty, but they respected the Embassy. Subsequent travelers report that such and worse incidents of violence frequently occur. Major David P. Barrows, of the Philippine Intelligence Service, is here preparing full report of credible witnesses of the Blagoveshchensk massacre and of situation, which I shall bring with me. I have previously reported individual position of railroad officials of all grades. Later arrivals confirm report on the food conditions. In addition thereto Stevens informs me that a reliable French intelligence officer, Major Billet, who traveled through the Altai district, observed huge quantities of wheat stored by the peasants in that region which they will only barter for needed supplies and will not sell for depreciated unstable Russian currency or for any money. This confirms reports regarding attitude of peasants which we have received for over six months. Furthermore German commercial agents are covering the country promising early delivery of such supplies. This region is perilously near the Urals. He inquired what our railway commission could do in transportation of such food westward if procured and what Germans might be able to accomplish; Stevens replied that with coal, proper order, and a few weeks' preparation, from four to five thousand tons daily could be moved by them. The movement of coal west, due to paralysis of the mines in the Urals and near Tomsk observed and reported by Stevens last summer, still continues. Practically no through westbound freight traffic exists. Hay and lumber were the only commodities noticed in any quantity although many cars were sealed; no movement of food supplies was observed. Reports of activities of German-Austrian prisoners increase. German menace and endeavor is certainly and rapidly growing and I learn from reliable persons that technical Germans formerly employed in enterprises in eastern Siberia are reappearing and do not disguise that fact. Every effort is being made by German agents to secure metals of the Urals, principally gold and platinum, mines of the latter of which are open. |