861.00/5304: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Tenney) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 30, 1919, 11:39 a.m.]
From [Harris at] Omsk.
“402. September 28, 6 p.m. Referring to Department’s September 23, 6 p.m. Have consulted with Slaughter. He claims that his reports as well as mine were true at the time they were sent. In any case I have no reason to modify mine in the slightest degree.
In addition to Russian, Czech and British staff reports, I have yesterday and today consulted with British General Knox and Dietrichs, commander-in-chief Siberian Army. Knox said he considers, in view of the retreat of Siberian forces during past four months, that the stand the army has finally taken and the advance and results achieved are extremely good under the circumstances. Knox explained to me on war map situation today’s date and showed how all three Siberian armies had advanced to the extent of 130 versts since offensive begun, states he considers outlook good.
General Dietrichs informed me officially that during four weeks of his advance he has captured on all fronts 15,000 prisoners, 21 heavy guns and more than 100 machine guns. He stated further that he intends upon reaching the Tobol River to rest his army for a short time at that place. He believes the outlook good but pointed out that if Denekin should take Moscow the whole of the Bolshevik forces might be thrown against him as the only place of refuge left to the Bolsheviki would be western Siberia and Turkistan. Asked what effect possible evacuation of Czech forces from guarding railway line to the east would have upon his operations, he stated that same would be serious inasmuch as he could not replace them at present, and in such an eventuality he might withdraw his army to some point east of Omsk in order to place him in a position to effectively guard railway. Certain sections of his army have already reached the Tobol River in two places.
Major Slaughter advises me that on September 25th Kolchak’s forces consisted of 79,150 bayonets, 13,564 sabers.
As concerns Zemstvo Council Denekin20 informed me today that five Omsk Government ministers are working with representatives of different interests, namely Zemstvos and Municipalities, Cooperatives, commerce and industries, Cossacks and universities. Denekin stated that in about one week’s time this committee would have a law worked out which would be the basis for elections. He also [Page 220] stated that the publication of Kolchak’s program in this connection had been received with widespread satisfaction and had been a decisive factor in clearing situation in Vladivostok.
These statements conform with my own judgment and knowledge of the situation and may be looked upon as authoritative acceptation. Copy of this telegram has been sent Ambassador Morris. Harris.”
- Probably error for Sookine, Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs in the Omsk Government.↩