861.00/5330: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Tenney) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 5, 7:45 p.m.]
[From Harris:]
The following telegram has been sent Ambassador Morris today:
“The situation at front is continually improving in favor of Kolchak forces. Tobolsk has been retaken and fall of Kurgan daily expected. Whole of third army rests on Tobol River. Whole of second army on an average not eight versts from Tobol. First army has frustrated flank movement of Reds on Ishim and are rapidly approaching Tobol River with no resistance. Position of Kolchak decidedly strengthened and all opposition to him in Omsk felt when you were here now disappeared. All reports received by me from Vice Consuls located along the railway line to the east indicate everything quiet. Counter-Kolchak movement in the Far East now apparently definitely exploded. Kolchak’s convoking Zemstvo Council, committee of which now in session Omsk working out practical election plans has had decided influence in uniting all parties on Kolchak.
[Page 438]I consider this most favorable moment for you and me to again lay before Department your recommendations for assistance to Kolchak as set forth in your telegrams to the Department August 11, 11 a.m.,77 and August 12, 5 a.m.,78 upon which you and I were so thoroughly in accord when you left Omsk. What Kolchak now needs above all things is equipment and clothing for his army. As you know the speedy delivery of all rifles, the release of all bank notes and lottery bonds, and the final negotiations of Omsk Government with consortium, English and American bankers for a $50,000,000 loan is very materially assisting Kolchak and is creating a better feeling here. While it may be impossible for our Government to comply with all the recommendations set forth in your August 11, 11 a.m., and August 12, 5 a.m., yet I am of the opinion that it is within the power of our Government to render sufficient assistance as shall be the crowning feature in saving Kolchak and holding this barrier against Bolshevism, which in my judgment, is now the only scrupulous [sic] and sound alternative. I am particularly anxious to have the Red Cross renew its work in Siberia and I believe that the time has come when this institution should again take up its work with redoubled efforts and carry to a successful consummation what has already been so splendidly and efficiently begun.
I feel sure that I can rely upon you to ably second me in this attempt and thus bring to the Russians the material help which so easily lies in our power to give and which is so badly needed by them.”
I have been notified that an early evacuation of Czech soldiers from Siberia will shortly be commenced and that ten ships have been provided by American Government for this purpose. If this is true about 15,000 Czech soldiers will shortly be sent home leaving about 30,000 still in Siberia. This decision, if true, will create an excellent impression among Czechs here. In this connection, however, I respectfully suggest pursuing a policy of retaining as many Czech soldiers as possible during approaching winter to guard railway. When Czechs actually see that something tangible is really being done towards their home coming, in all likelihood the majority would be willing to guard railway until spring. Such an arrangement would obviate the necessity of sending further American soldiers to Siberia even though such a plan were under consideration, and it would enable Omsk Government to concentrate all available forces on the Bolshevik front.
During the next few months many items embodied in the $200,000,000 loan mentioned by Ambassador Morris79 might be approached from different angles, at least they are open questions which may be further considered and modified in the light of new and changing conditions. I have not yet lost faith in the possibility [Page 439] of the Russian people being able to do much in their own behalf to extricate themselves from their present difficulties, especially so if a full measure of moral support be afforded them on the part of the Allies as for example in the shape of recognition. Harris.