File No. 861.00/3394
The Consul at Irkutsk (Thomson) to the Secretary of State1
[Received December 10, 5.22 p.m.]
Situation Semenov affair without change to date. Semenov has under his command about 15,000 troops, but only 3,000 loyal troops. General Volkov informed me confidentially to-day that he is still trying [Page 458] to dispose of Semenov diplomatically but, if necessary to fight, Volkov can dispose of Semenov in three or four days if no Japanese influence is brought to bear to help Semenov. Japanese say they cannot permit any troubles on railway. To illustrate Japanese action, Volkov read two telegrams which he intercepted by wireless to-day, first telegram from Blagoveshchensk to Chita to Semenov from Tfemel in regular command of the Amur detachment reading as follows: “In accordance with the Japanese demand I am obliged to give over the Amur detachment of [to] Gamov.” (Gamov is an Amur Cossack who is on good terms with Semenov.) The second telegram was a cipher to Kuroki on Semenov train. Kuroki is a nephew of Japanese Field Marshal Kuroki. Yesterday two Semenov scouts were arrested here by staff, but the Japanese mission in Irkutsk demanded their release.
- Sent via the Legation in China.↩