File No. 861.00/1699
The Consul at Vladivostok (Caldwell) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 1, 3 a.m.]
Local Soviet have occupied offices Zemstvo without conflict and are attempting organize administrative force, but are hampered by disinclination former employees work for Soviet. Zemstvo state they are not dissolved and will meet elsewhere, but I believe they will not again be a governing body here. Soviet attempting persuade city authorities turn over power to Soviet, but so far unsuccessful, though Soviet may use same tactics as with Zemstvo. Situation complicated by fact that city has not sufficient funds pay employees and police this month, unless merchants will advance money. Soviet believed to be also withholding money, though claiming to have [omission].
Local authorities endeavoring form efficient police force but impossible without more money. Yesterday about noon, police shot and killed in main street two criminals resisting arrest, who are believed to be members of gang of about twenty who last week robbed Serbian fishing station about twenty miles from this city, killing twenty, of whom six were Serbs, six Chinese, and eight Koreans, Chinese having hands bound and apparently being shot after robbery to prevent identity robbers being revealed. Few weeks ago, similar crime occurred at fishing station about five miles from this city, six people being killed.
Czecho-Slovaks arriving daily; about 6,000 already here; appearance and discipline excellent; have some arms. Soviet furnishing barracks for them. Interested posts informed.