861.00/5814: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Tenney) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 4, 10:12 a.m.]
[From Harris at Irkutsk:]
494. Bolshevik now thirty versts east of Barabinsk. Kolchak still in Novo Nikolaievsk. Considerable difficulty in evacuation caused by Czechs seizing all locomotives in order to concentrate all their troops in direction Irkutsk. Kolchak apparently now depending chiefly upon Polish troops to secure retreat of himself and army.
Reported here that Bolsheviki have concluded peace with Esthonia and the Yudenitch army no longer exists. Also reported that Denekine still retreating.
Reported here that Bolsheviki have committed no atrocities in Omsk but on contrary are treating population with kindness. Siberian soldiers and officers have been given option of serving in Bolshevik army or being employed in civil capacity. Those who are irreconcilable are being placed in internment camps.
Everything quiet in Irkutsk as well as along railway east and west. Shortage of coal and locomotives continues. Prices of all foodstuffs rising enormously. It is feared that the Chinese Government is taking decided action to prohibit exportation of Manchurian foodstuffs into Siberia. Should this step materialize it will cause great famine here because Bolsheviki now occupy granaries western Siberia.
Interesting and important events may transpire in Irkutsk during the next two or three months. This will not be in the nature of uprisings and bloodshed but may be some decided action on the part of Social Revolutionaries to secure compromise with Bolsheviki, and that is [sic] both Bolsheviki and Kolchak forces, as well as entire population are completely exhausted and all classes of population are getting heartily sick of internecine strife. I am watching situation carefully. Harris.