SIBERIA EFFORTS BY THE UNITED STATES TO CARRY OUT THE DECISION TO SUPPORT KOLCHAK-Continued 1919 June 25 June 25 (2794) June 27 (2441) June 27 From the Secretary-General of the Commission to Negotiate Peace From the Commission to Negotiate Peace (tel.) From Lansing and McCormick: The President's statement that note to Kolchak does not imply political recognition but merely offers assistance insofar as each Government's policy and legislation will permit. To the Commission to Negotiate Peace (tel.) For Lansing and McCormick: Inquiry whether Secretary of War and others may deal openly with Kolchak representatives on credit basis with 10 percent initial cash payment. To the Consul at Vladivostok (tel.) For Heid: Offer of position as representative of Secretary of War in supervising disposal and delivery in Siberia of material which has been contracted for by Russian cooperative unions. Willingness of Secretary of War to sell certain amount of material on hand on credit basis. From the Minister in China (tel.) Page 385 386 386 387 Undated [Rec'd June 28] 387 From Harris at Omsk: Omsk government's desire for U. S. June 30 388 Undated [Rec'd July 2] Undated [Rec'd July 10] July 10 To the Ambassador in Japan (tel.) Message from the President (text printed) directing that Ambassador Morris be sent to Omsk to secure information and impressions as to spirit and purposes of Kolchak government, also that he impress upon Japan U. S. open-door policy in Russia. From the Chairman of the War Trade Board (tel.) No objection on part of the President to Secretary of War's dealing openly with Kolchak representatives for purpose of selling supplies, and no objection to financial plan, provided there is no diplomatic recognition of Kolchak government. From the Minister in China (tel.) From Harris at Omsk: Omsk government's desire that From the Ambassador in Japan, temporarily at Vladivostok (tel.) July 11 To the Consul at Vladivostok (tel.) For Morris: Instructions to investigate and advise as to plans for economic reconstruction of Siberia and European Russia, especially with regard to railways. 388 389 389 390 SIBERIA EFFORTS BY THE UNITED STATES TO CARRY OUT THE DECISION TO SUPPORT KOLCHAK-Continued Date and number Subject Page From Harris at Omsk: Discouragement of people and demoralization of army caused by failure of Allies to send troops to crush Bolsheviks and Allied failure to recognize Kolchak government. President Wilson to the President of the Senate 1919 Undated [Rec'd From the Minister in China (tel.) July 15] July 22 July 22 July 22 July 24 July 25 July 26 July 27 (?) July 30 Reasons for sending U. S. soldiers to Siberia and explanation of their continuance there. From the Ambassador in Japan, temporarily at Omsk (tel.) Report of demoralization of Kolchak army, fleeing of inhabi- Causes From the Ambassador in Japan, temporarily at Omsk (tel.) To the Secretary of War Favorable attitude toward arrangements with Ughet, Russian Chargé d'Affaires, for disposing of surplus war material to Russia. To the Consul General at Irkutsk, temporarily at Omsk (tel.) For Morris: Suggestion as to points to be investigated, including basis and extent of popular support of Kolchak west of Irkutsk. From the Ambassador in Japan, temporarily at Omsk (tel.) Conversations with Kolchak and Sookine on plans for overthrow of Bolsheviks, railway supervision, military supplies, credits and relief, and proposed bill of rights for Russian populace. To the Consul General at Irkutsk, temporarily at Omsk (tel.) For Morris: Request for comment on possibility that reac- From the Ambassador in Japan, temporarily at Omsk (tel.) [July Aug. 4 From the Ambassador in Japan, temporarily at Omsk (tel.) 390 391 394 395 396 398 398 399 401 401 402 Aug. 4 From the Ambassador in Japan, temporarily at Omsk (tel.) 403 SIBERIA EFFORTS BY THE UNITED STATES TO CARRY OUT THE DECISION TO SUPPORT KOLCHAK-Continued Date and number 1919 Aug. 8 Aug. 8 Aug. 11 Aug. 12 Aug. 12 From the Ambassador in Japan, temporarily at Omsk (tel.) From the Ambassador in Japan, temporarily at Omsk (tel.) From the Ambassador in Japan, temporarily at Omsk (tel.) From the Ambassador in Japan, temporarily at Omsk (tel.) Kolchak's efforts to hold Omsk after ordering army to retreat to within 170 miles of city; his request that Allies continue assistance, appealing for release of ruble notes at Vladivostok and for troops to guard Chinese Eastern; Morris' suggestion that President Wilson send encouraging message to Kolchak. To the Consul General at Irkutsk, temporarily at Omsk (tel.) For Morris: The President's expression of regret that the From the Minister in China (tel.) 405 407 408 410 412 413 Undated [Rec'd Aug. 13] From Harris at Omsk: Concurrence in Morris' conclusions expressed in his telegram of August 11. Aug. 14 From the Ambassador in Japan, temporarily at Omsk (tel.) 413 Aug. 16 414 Aug. 18 Aug. 20 Aug. 20 From the Ambassador in Japan, temporarily at Omsk (tel.) From the Ambassador in Japan, temporarily at Omsk (tel.) Conversation with Kolchak on probable outcome of events; his concentration on military situation to exclusion of financial and economic problems; decision, however, to call conference of heads of peasant communities; advantageous changes in Ministry. To the Consul General at Irkutsk, temporarily at Omsk (tel.) For Morris: Request for views on situation in view of the inability of the United States to send additional troops. Continuance, however, cf shipments of rifles, though sale of clothing from War Department stocks is impossible. From the Ambassador in Japan, temporarily at Omsk (tel.) Reports of Bolshevik advance toward Omsk, driving back Siberian Army; decision of Morris to leave with General Graves, unless instructed to contrary. 415 417 417 SIBERIA EFFORTS BY THE UNITED STATES TO CARRY OUT THE DECISION TO SUPPORT KOLCHAK-Continued Date and number Subject Page 1919 Aug. 22 Aug. 22 Aug. 23 (3859) Aug. 24 Aug. 25 (2940) Aug. 25 Aug. 27 Aug. 30 Sept. 5 Undated [Rec'd Sept. 15] Sept. 19 To the Consul General at Irkutsk, temporarily at Omsk (tel.) From the Ambassador in Japan, temporarily at Omsk (tel.) From the Commission to Negotiate Peace (tel.) Polk to Miles: Inquiries as to details of reported loan to Kolchak government by U. S. and British banks, covered by depcsit of gold in Hongkong bank. From the Minister in China (tel.) From Harris at Omsk: Departure of Morris and Graves for To the Commission to Negotiate Peace (tel.) Miles to Polk: Details of proposed bankers' loan to Kol- For Morris: Conclusion that recognition of Kolchak gov- From the Ambassador in Japan, temporarily at Irkutsk (tel.) Opinion that, since no U. S. troops can be sent, immediate From the Ambassador in Japan, temporarily at Irkutsk (tel.) To the Consul at Harbin (tel.) For Morris: Approval of withholding final statement to From the Chargé in China (tel.) From Harris at Omsk: Sookine's disappointment at U. S. delay in sending supplies; unfortunate impression made by Department's note of August 30 to Japan; reported statement by Morris at Vladivostok that fall of Kolchak is inevitable and that government formed of various revolutionary parties is pending. To the Consul General at Irkutsk, temporarily at Omsk (tel.) Explanations that U. S. supplies are being shipped to Kolchak and railway material to Stevens and that obstruction of shipments was occasion of note of August 30 to Japan; opinion that alleged remarks of Morris regarding Government are mere hostile propaganda. 418 418 419 420 420 421 422 423 423 424 424 SIBERIA EFFORTS BY THE UNITED STATES TO CARRY OUT THE DECISION TO SUPPORT KOLCHAK-Continued Date and number Subject Page 1919 Sept. 19 To President Wilson at San Diego (tel.) 425 Request that Secretary of War be authorized to sell surplus Sept. 20 From President Wilson (tel.) 426 Authorization for furnishing available supplies to forces under Kolchak. Sept. 20 (511) 426 Sept. 22 Sept. 22 From the Representative at Vladivostok of the War Trade Board, From the Chargé in China (tel.) From Harris at Omsk: British correspondence (excerpts printed) indicating that Morris now advocates recognition of new revolutionary movement in Far East. Harris' disapproval and view that Russia must choose between Kolchak and Bolsheviks; disapproval of Red Cross evacuation of Omsk. From the Chargé in China (tel.) From Harris at Omsk: Report that negotiations with U. S. and British banks for loan to Kolchak government have failed. Sale of gold to France for francs. Recommendation that 427 430 U. S. banks make loan, permitting sufficient Russian gold to Sept. 23 The Russian Delegation in Paris to the President of the Paris 431 Appeal for recognition of Kolchak government as of utmost importance in regeneration of Russia. Sept. 23 From the Ambassader in Japan, temporarily at Vladivostok 432 Sept. 26 (4370) Undated [Rec'd Sept. 27] Sept. 27 (3270) Czech antagonism to Kolchak government and encouragement of new movement; Kolchak's recognition of Kalmykov and Semenov, thus placing the United States in anomalous situation; Morris' recommendation that U. S. efforts be concentrated on economic relief, naming essential conditions therefor. From the Commission to Negotiate Peace (tel.) 434 From Polk: Inquiry whether recognition of Kolchak is being considered and, if not, whether the Department is withdrawing support. From the Chargé in China (tel.) 435 From Harris at Omsk: Favorable impression on Omsk government made by Department's telegram of September 19, 5 p.m. To the Commission to Negotiate Peace (tel.) 435 For Polk: Continuance of U. S. policy of support to Kolchak; measures for supplying rifles, clothing, and money to Kolchak. |