File No. 861.00/2063
The Consul at Moscow (Poole) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 18, 9.30 a.m.]
621. Czechs continue fighting their way eastward, have taken Omsk. Flank detachment within few miles of Ekaterinburg. French agents report large numbers of German and Austrian prisoners among [Page 198] troops of Red Army but no effective resistance so far offered to Czechs.
Letter from Vice Consul Williams, Samara, dated June 1, contains following statement of American Y.M.C.A. secretary who has been working with Czechs for some time:
Czechs will not give up arms nor go out via Archangel under existing conditions. Therefore they have decided to concentrate entire first division around Chelyabinsk as soon as possible and from there begin movement toward Vladivostok in spite of all opposition. If resistance offered to their rapid transport they will seize important towns along way above cited. If press reports Czechs are trying to capture Siberia and oust Bolshevik government, we are to know that they are only endeavoring to reach Vladivostok and will not let Bolshevik government trifle with them more.
According to French reports, when Czechs enter a city they occupy only station and railroad yards issuing proclamation to inhabitants that they will not interfere in affairs, will only preserve order. This had resulted in all cases so far in immediate overthrow of Bolshevik and facilitation of new government by coalition of Social Revolutionary radical party, Cooperatives, etc.