File No. 861.00/1391
The Chargé in China (Spencer) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11.45 p.m.]
Moser telegraphs from Harbin in substance as follows:
Horvat has taken decisive stand to head movement for restoring order and subduing German menace in Siberia. He has issued a proclamation naming Pleshkov, veteran of Galicia campaigns and leader of Cossacks, commander in chief of all Russian forces in Siberia. Semenov’s Manchurian movement [under] his control. Pleshkov now bringing 2,000 Cossacks from Nikolsk. He states that he can raise additional force 6,000, but will require minimum of 1,200 Allied troops additional to secure Irkutsk and control railways. Ustrugov and Stal of Siberian Constituent Assembly now in Peking to secure Allied support for temporary Constituent Assembly government Vladivostok. I consider their scheme impracticable as force must restore order in Siberia before stable government can be established. Confidence in leaders and Allied propaganda is required to secure support of the plebiscite [populace?] which daily demands Allied [intervention?]. Horvat has confidentially shown me letter from General Tanaka declaring Japan had no aggressive designs whatever upon Siberia and asking Horvat to head movement for restoration of order and promising him Japan would ask Allies to join her in supporting him with money, men and guns. Horvat says if Allies support Tomsk representatives, he will acquiesce, but doubts effectiveness of scheme. If Allies do not support Tomsk representatives, he will ask their support for organization in Harbin headed by himself with following associates as advisory cabinet: Putilov of Russian Bank, Shanghai, Admiral Kolchak, Ustrugov, General Pleshkov, Rusanov, Stal and several others, organization to operate from Harbin until proper government established at Irkutsk or Vladivostok. Believing Horvat’s organization only possible solution if supported by Japanese, I strongly advocate our full cooperation. Conditions unbearable in Siberia unless Allies intervene. Plebiscite [populace?] clamoring for Allied intervention. If we support movement, I strongly recommend establishing Allied commission at Harbin with full control of expenditures and as advisory board and suggest Wedgwood and Stevens. Think this, as well as American operation of railways, can be arranged if we support Horvat.