File No. 861.00/1180
The Chargé in China (Spencer) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6 p.m.]
Drysdale telegraphs as follows from Vladivostok:
February 28. Khabarovsk quiet, feeling intensified against the Germans on account of recently reported German advance and peace demands for which reason prisoners are more strictly guarded. At Irkutsk and Vladivostok decided majority of eastern Siberian Russians and Bolsheviks are opposed to openly accepting German peace proposals. Whether peace proposals are accepted or not it seems probable Germans will finally control and get supplies from Siberia unless Allies interfere. I believe German agents now acquiring supplies for future shipment and I consider it advisable send Allied forces Irkutsk to remain till close of war to protect Allied interests.