861.00/5254: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Tenney) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received 12:40 p.m.]
From [Harris at] Omsk.
388. September 19, 9 p.m. During a thirty-six hour visit to Omsk from front Kolchak decreed in substance the following:
“After the successes attained by our soldiers in the stubborn fighting of the last weeks they are going forward with increased determination and confidence in speedy establishment of peace and freedom. It is vital that the whole people should merge in cooperation with the Government and Army. The wide circles of peasants and Cossacks have suffered most in the unavoidable hardships imposed by destructive civil war, which has absorbed the whole wealth of the state. These people must unite with the Government in strengthening the common weal for the conclusion of this struggle for the State Zemstvo Council must aid the Government in passing from the severe conditions of military government to the new conditions of peaceful life founded on zealous protection of lawfulness and firm guarantees of civil freedom and benefits both of person and property. In convening a State Zemstvo Council I appeal to the whole population to unite with the Government and remember that national aims stand above personal ambitions which have brought Russia to verge of ruin. Above council is to co-operate with the Government with legal right of [questioning] representative ministers and suggesting legal and administrative measures.[”]
- Harris
- Tenney