861.24/145: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Consul General at Irkutsk (Harris), temporarily at Omsk
Your 217, May 4, 4 p.m. from Harbin, received May 11 [12]. Department understands 150,000 rifles to which you refer were contracted for with Remington Arms Company. Through the instrumentality of Department the Embassy has been able to secure the [Page 350] release of apparently about 30,000 of these rifles. Balance would have to be paid for and the Department is now in communication with the Embassy as to what means, if any, can be devised. As you are aware, this Government has no funds for such purpose. Embassy funds are also extremely short. Subject has been matter of much conference but no adequate solution yet obtained.