File No. 861.00/3389
The Consul General at Irkutsk (Harris) to the Secretary of State1
[Received December 10, 10.33 p.m.]
226. Klyuchnikov, manager of Foreign Office, Omsk provisional government, has brought the following to my attention.
On the morning 7th instant Admiral Kolchak had conversation by direct wire with General Janin at Chita, who informed him that the Japanese are supporting Semenov with both money and munitions and that General Oba has told Semenov not to withdraw from Chita. General Oba has told Volkov they will not permit him to operate against Semenov. Volkov has been instructed by Kolchak not to precipitate a conflict and to await the result of Omsk government’s [effort] to enlist aid of Allies in eliminating Japanese from Siberian politics. Klyuchnikov appeared greatly concerned over the turn of affairs and begged that the American Government be fully informed of the part Japan is playing in preventing the union of Siberia. The Japanese refer to their position by stating that they are the guardians of the peace of the Far East and that they cannot permit civil war in districts where they are established for the protection of the persecuted people.
- Sent via the Legation in China.↩