861.00/5548: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Tenney) to the Secretary of State
[Received 1:05 p.m.]
From [Harris at] Omsk.
“454. October 31, 1 p.m. Siberian Army continuing retreat in good order. Entire army now appears to be east of Ishim River. Petropavlovsk probably occupied by Bolsheviki but no official confirmation.
American Red Cross Omsk hospital ordered to evacuate. All patients, hospital equipment and personnel will go to Irkutsk. This evacuation now going forward.
Railway traffic towards east as far as Novo Nikolaievsk getting badly congested, and present cold weather may aggravate same, no immediate trouble, however, is anticipated providing sufficient locomotives going east of [omission] are returned at Omsk. Today thermometer 10° below zero with falling snow. I have no present intention of leaving Omsk.
Bolshevik radio reports victories on all fronts. Apparently Bolsheviki have dismantled wireless station at Tsarskoe Selo and removing [Page 222] same to Perm. This perhaps an indication that Bolsheviki intend to make local district their permanent headquarters. Bolsheviki also report great strikes are going on in America, which they interpret as being favorable to and in sympathy with them. Harris.[”]