Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1919, Russia

861.00/3955: Telegram

The Minister in China (Reinsch) to the Acting Secretary of State

Peking, undated.
[Received February 28, 1919, 10:45 a.m.]

Following from [Harris at] Irkutsk.

“141. February 26, 8 p.m. I have received following from Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Omsk.

‘Owing to the fact that cases of arbitrary and unlawful actions on the part of military authorities in the Zabaikal territory are being repeated, and in view of the special situation that has resulted in the said territory, which situation [does not?] allow the Government to use its power within the said area, the Council of Ministers in its meeting held on the 21 January last, has decided that all the orders given by the authorities acting there, concerning the state and private property, also concerning the transportation and supply, shall be considered juridically not valid and to consider the consequences of such orders as annulled.

In order to avoid all misunderstandings in future and the possibility of advancing claims to the Russian Government on the basis of the situation actually existing in the Zabaikal, the ministry undertakes the duty of bringing to the knowledge of all the countries which might have interest in the said territory.’

Harris”

Reinsch