Office of the Historian

861.00/5127 a: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Consul General at Irkutsk (Harris), temporarily at Omsk

Washington, August 25, 1919, 6 p.m.

For Morris: Following conclusions now evident in response to your various recommendations:

1.
Recognition of Kolchak is unfortunately impracticable because of the fact that the support which you regard as necessary for Kolchak’s success cannot be given by the United States for the following reasons:
  • First: No additional American troops can be sent.
  • Second: This Government cannot assist with credits for military supplies unless Kolchak be recognized as a co-belligerent against the Central Powers which he is not or through specific authorization from Congress.
  • Third: Commercial credits cannot be granted without authorization by Congress.
  • Fourth: Any action by Congress will depend upon whether the President will present plan for assistance which is now being prepared with the help of Mr. McCormick on the basis of your reports.
  • Fifth: No action by Congress can be urged until the ratification of the Peace Treaty is out of the way.
2.
As against these unfavorable considerations shipment of rifles will continue. Secretary of War is understood still to be prepared to increase contracts with Cooperatives from $15,000,000 to $25,000,000 as originally announced. Release of bank notes will follow conclusion of formalities for a $50,000,000 loan from British and American banks which will make possible the purchase by Kolchak Government and reimbursement of American credits for expense of printing bank notes.
3.
Please inform Kolchak Government of these results and at the same time make quite clear that our own limitations are due solely to existing legislation in so far as military and commercial supplies are concerned and to state of public opinion as well as to lack of appropriations.
4.
The Department has referred all your cables to Paris for the information of and discussion by the American Mission but has received no reply stating attitude of other Governments. What word [Page 422] have British and French representatives received from their Governments?
5.
I hope the plan for assistance which is being prepared for consideration by the President may possibly assist in building up a social and economic structure which has been lacking hitherto and which may enable further developments to be planned on a sounder foundation.
6.
Please say to Admiral Kolchak personally that the inability of this Government to render more tangible assistance at this time, while due to facts beyond its control is, nevertheless, sincerely regretted and must not be construed as in any way suggesting lack of appreciation of his own extraordinary efforts in overcoming great obstacles or of any change of our hope to assist Russia. He must realize that we are not free as other Governments are in respect to control of appropriations for expenditures abroad nor have we any long established machinery for effective assistance outside the United States such as has been available in the past to those governments whose colonies or other influences in foreign affairs have called for overseas effort.

Please inform Admiral Kolchak that very urgent matters affecting the relations of Japan and the United States seriously require your early return to Tokyo.

Before leaving him you may say that your recommendations have received most sympathetic consideration here and that you hope his efforts to fortify his Government by adding to it the support of elements representative of the Zemstvos and Municipalities, may succeed.

Lansing