File No. 861.00/1866
The Consul at Harbin (Moser) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 25, 9 p.m.]
Chinese Eastern Railway and Harbin population greatly disturbed over Emerson journey to Vologda. Stevens and myself saw Horvat yesterday and assured him that Emerson visit was for consultation with Francis and to learn possibility of any cooperation that might seem feasible against [enemies] of Russia and Allies. We stated that our last instructions were: United States did not [recognize] Bolsheviks and had no official relations with them. Horvat said Siberian situation did not hang on conditions old Russia, the population mainly peasants, only desire restoration order and peaceful government with liberal measures. They realize their inability [to help] themselves is merely national defect and dependent upon outside help [sic]. America preferred but would willingly accept German, Japanese, or any other which restored order. The first to enter Siberia would secure its willing allegiance.
To-day I saw Kolchak who repeated similar message: without help from Allied nations organized government safety of human life in Russia impossible. If other Allies fail or withdraw support, Japan alone assured them support, they were compelled to accept at her terms. On 17th instant railway employees declared one-day strike out of sympathy for murdered school teacher, entire railway operation Manchuria to Vladivostok suspended, all stores, printing [Page 169] offices closed. On May 21, on the ground of Chinese protest, Horvat dismissed thirteen members executive committee Railway Employees Union as strike ringleaders and sentenced them to banishment. After three days employees have supported executive committee, protested against Horvat’s action, appealed to Consular Body to interfere and have threatened strike of all railway employees in Manchuria if order is carried out. Horvat stands pat; consuls can not interfere; complete strike probable.
Last week Kolchak appointed to command military organization railway zone, visited Semenov in Trans-Baikal claiming to be his superior officer; Semenov, declaring himself war minister and military commander new Trans-Baikal government, see my telegram May 8, 1 p.m.,1 refused recognize Kolchak’s authority. Declared himself part of the independent Trans-Baikal government without connection Chinese Eastern Railway. The difference has resulted in serious rupture which threatens disaster for both Semenov and railway administration. Semenov now here and Horvat endeavoring effect reconciliation but so far unsuccessful. Orlov and Manchuria forces support Kolchak, while Trans-Baikal generally support Semenov. General Nakajima hopes for reconciliation but declares [Japan] will continue to support with arms and ammunition both factions.
British Consul states British and French Governments have suspended financial support to Semenov, although Kolchak informs me that he personally was en route to Mesopotamian front when ordered by British Government to proceed Harbin and organize movement against Bolsheviks in cooperation with Semenov. Semenov’s offensive stopped at Onon River by Bolsheviks [destroying] bridge. He has advanced force beyond Olovyannaya but his main force on eastern bank worried in attempting to construct temporary bridge by Bolsheviks’ fire on opposite bank. His force is thus scattered. In fight with Bolsheviks three days ago Semenov killed the gunners of one battery, all of whom were Austrians. Kolchak states that Austrian prisoner of war, General Taube, was in the command of Bolshevik forces. Semenov has now 2,500 fighting troops of whom 400 belong to Orlov’s Chinese Eastern battalion and will probably be withdrawn but easily replaced by Cossack recruits.
Kolchak states Chinese Eastern has 1,200 troops here and recruiting about 30 per diem with intention fitting them for attacks against Nikolsk and Vladivostok. Are hampered, however, by controversy with Semenov who has all their guns and with [by] difficulty of securing arms and ammunition. He has recruited 500 Chinese auxiliaries but has received intimation from Chinese Government that this [Page 170] must cease. Claims that Chinese Government is throwing every possible difficulty in way intentions of the railway administration. Openly expresses fear that [Japan] has obtained approval of China to bring Japanese forces into north Manchuria and ultimately secure complete control this region. Horvat stated yesterday Japanese asked him if it were not true that United States had lent him seventy million gold on guarantee of American control of railways. He promised Stevens full support to any measures proposed by American engineers on Chinese Eastern. The general effect of Emerson’s Vologda mission, of quarrel between Semenov and railway administration, and of reported suspension of British and French financial support, combined with extreme activities of Japanese, has produced a feeling of great depression throughout the community.