the Russians, and therefore it is better to let them spend this money on the restoration of the army and the feeding of hungry citizens. The only effective means of guarding the above-mentioned property in Vladivostok is considered to be the occupation of Allied troops. Such occupation has already taken place in Murmansk and Archangel, but for the complete safety of the Vladivostok depots it may be necessary to clear the localities in the vicinity of Vladivostok of the Germans and Magyars. If all the plans of America, as enumerated above, are carried out exactly, the result will be as follows: (1) The Allies will not help us to restore the front; (2) they will take the Czecho-Slovaks away from Russia as soon as possible; (3) they will occupy all our chief ports, guarding property for which money has not been paid to America; (4) they will leave Russia to disintegrate further, if the bacilli of disintegration be sufficiently strong. Perhaps following upon the communication for the press the Government of the United States will make a formal declaration, and from it [it] will then be possible to draw some different conclusions. We therefore confine ourselves for the time being to deciphering the unclear communication which makes an important amendment to Japan's declaration, which latter is imbued with an entirely dif ferent spirit and contains broader aims for extending aid to Russia. Am issuing statement through Committee on Public Information to the effect that the American position has been misconstrued, our aim being heartily to assist Russia in her efforts for the restoration of order, and to make possible her cooperation against the common enemy upon a basis of equality with the other Allies; also that our hesitation to interfere in her internal affairs is inspired solely by our respect for her status of sovereignty. Earnestly suggest in future official statement of this character be issued to our consular representatives and Committee on Public Information before given to the public press. Official statements circulated through general news agencies rather than through our own Government official mediums, established for the purpose, sure to cause embarrassment and bring about misunderstanding. MOSER Proposals for the Political Direction of Intervention and for Augmentation of the Forces: Attitude of the United States-Japanese Activities in Manchuria-Arrival of American and Allied Troops at VladivostokIncrease of the Japanese Forces-Reply of the Soviet Government to American and Japanese Statements File No. 861.00/2548 The British Chargé (Barclay) to the Acting Secretary of State No. 893 MEMORANDUM The British Chargé d'Affaires has received instructions to inform the Acting Secretary of State that His Majesty's Government have decided to appoint a High Commissioner in Siberia, in connection with the measures to be taken by the Allies in that region. The post has been offered to Sir Charles Eliot, who has accepted the offer. Sir Charles will represent His Majesty's Government in all political questions which come before the Allies, and will be in control of all British agents in Siberia, other than military or naval commands. An important part of his duties will be to promote the closest possible cooperation amongst the Allied forces and their leaders. In informing the United States Government of this appointment the British Chargé d'Affaires is instructed to add that His Majesty's Government attach the very greatest importance to the question of facilitating combined action by the Allies in Siberia; and it is hoped that the United States Government will cooperate to this end, either by themselves appointing a High Commissioner in Siberia or in whatever other way they may consider most advisable in the circumstances. WASHINGTON, August 11, 1918. [Received August 12.] File No. 861.00/2507 The French Ambassador (Jusserand) to the Secretary of State [Translation] WASHINGTON, August 12, 1918. MR. SECRETARY OF STATE: At this time when the Allies are about to exert their action in both Siberia and northern Russia, the Government of the Republic, thinking that this dual action will be more effective if better coordinated, has directed me to offer to the Federal Government suggestions tending to the establishment of some sort of political direction of and connection between the two operations simultaneously set on foot at Archangel and Vladivostok. The successes of the Czechs, the weakening of the Bolsheviki, the growing difficulties encountered by the Germans are, one and all, reasons for resolute action by the Allies in the two or three months when it can be taken and for the earliest possible establishment of northern as well as eastern connection with the Czechs. With a view to the best possible harmonizing of that dual action and to the settling of the political or economic questions that may arise, my Government believes it would be the part of wisdom and foresight, while adhering to the local military command, British on one side, Japanese on the other, to organize an inter-Allied civilian board charged with the duty of safeguarding unity of action toward the Russian people. That board should have the last say in all questions flowing from the assistance brought to Russia by the Allies, decide the political disputes, give the economic, financial, and technical directions, define the relations between the Allied Governments and the local authorities. If the Federal Government concurred in my Government's view the chairmanship of the board would go to the United States. A few Russians might be admitted or attached to the board in an advisory capacity. This would facilitate an adjustment of the differences that have arisen among the several Russian groups, whose proneness to improvise is but too well known and who are seeking recognition by the Allies. I should be thankful to your excellency if you would kindly let me know whether the foregoing suggestions coincide, as is my Government's hope, with the Federal Government's view. In view of recent reports, the British Government feel the greatest concern over the critical position in which the Czech forces in Siberia now find themselves, and it is felt that all the Allies are under an obligation of honour to provide for the safety of these troops. If it were in their power the British Government would be glad to give further help, but they have unfortunately no means of doing more than has already been done in this direction. The only possibility of saving the situation by immediate action seems to lie with the Japanese. In these circumstances the British Government earnestly hope that the United States authorities will feel it possible formally to request the Japanese Government to dispatch at the earliest possible moment such military assistance as the military experts of the Czech and Japanese forces may consider desirable and necessary. Such a procedure would be in accordance with the public declaration of the United States Government, as the present state of affairs is clearly one of emergency, demanding the application of extraordinary neasures. The Japanese authorities have pointed out to the British Govern ment that no formal request has been received from them by Japan with a view to sending the increased help now evidently necessary for the Czechs. In view of what the Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs has said on this point, and considering the deep resentment which would be felt in Great Britain at any disaster to the Czech forces, the British Government feel that it will be incumbent on them to make a request of this nature, unless the United States Government have grave objections to such a course. A recent report on the position of the Czech forces is attached to this memorandum.1 WASHINGTON, August 12, 1918. File 861.00/2506 The British Chargé (Barclay) to the Secretary of State [A copy of the following paraphrase of a telegram was handed by the Chargé to the Secretary of State on August 13, 1918:] The British Consul at Vladivostok (Hodgson) to the British Foreign Office August 9, 1918. Representations have been made by Dr. Girsa of the Czech National Council to the effect that the Czechs in Siberia are daily being placed in a more and more critical position. They have insufficient supplies of clothing, boots, military material, arms and ammunition, and their numbers are being reduced. The position of the troops between Samara and Irkutsk is even worse. The forces at the disposal of the enemy are constantly increasing; they are fully supplied with aeroplanes, automobiles, and artillery, and their organization is being perfected. There are now only two months before the beginning of winter and the Czech troops in central Siberia will be lost unless help can reach them by then. Dr. Girsa urged that the Allies should extend their plan of operations and send a stronger force and also supplies, more especially aeroplanes and artillery; the forces so far proposed to be sent by the Allies are certainly inadequate. The positive statement is made by the general in command of the Czechs that not less than three Allied divisions are imperatively necessary to deal with the situation on the Manchuria-Irkutsk front. The prisoners of war have now obtained control of the Trans-Baikal Province, where they are terrorizing the inhabitants and forcing them to enlist in the Red forces. File No. 861.00/2483 The Consul at Vladivostok (Caldwell) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] VLADIVOSTOK, August 13, 1918, 5 p. m. 95. Following telegram dated July 8 received from Consul Ray,2 Novo Nikolaevsk, having been forwarded to Urga by messenger and transmitted by Russian diplomatic agent there: The government created last January by the popularly elected Siberian territorial parliament in Tomsk has assumed power and its authority has been accepted throughout western Siberia from near Irkutsk to the Urals, except in Ekaterinburg. Conventions of peasants and Cossacks held and [at] Omsk voted to support new government. The new ministry is composed of representatives of all moderate parties including the Constitutional Democrats [who support] government. Five ministers now in Omsk, including the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Premier, who is Vologodski, conservative Social Revolutionary, prominent Tomsk lawyer. Complete order is maintained with popularly elected Zemstvos and city councils in operation and organization new army proceeding as rapidly as limited equipment permits. Fourth of July government issued declaration independence Siberia until federation can be effected with other Russian states after expulsion Germans and usurping Bolsheviks and convocation All-Russian Constituent Assembly. Government is pro-Ally and declaration of war on Central powers delayed only by desire to ascertain whether united Allied support can be obtained in the matter of munitions. As soon as Ural Diet consolidated [omission] eastern Siberia can be taken [omission] but we suggest Czechs in Vladivostok be armed and sent to help other Slav peoples against Teutonic oppression. Recommended prompt recognition and support with munitions and money, thereby preventing the dispatch 300,000 Hungarian and Austrian prisoners to French front. File No. 861.00/2485 CALDWELL The Consul at Harbin (Moser) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] HARBIN, August 13, 1918, 5 p. m. [Received August 14, 12.45 a. m.] Yesterday six trains Czechs arrived Harbin, five more will arrive to-day or to-morrow. Total force between 5,000 and 6,000, Harbin, main headquarters Hailar. Secondary [serious] field operations westward to begin as soon as equipment completed. War prisoners seriously threatening Manchuria Station which is at their mercy. Am informed 5,000 Japanese troops leave Changchun to join Czechs here. MOSER File No. 861.00/2481 The Ambassador in Japan (Morris) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] TOKYO, August 13, 1918, 9 p. m. The Minister for Foreign Affairs sent for me this afternoon and again referring to the serious condition existing in northern Manchuria, as reported in my August 5, 8 p. m., advised me that the 1 1Ante, p. 330, |