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

861.77/736: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Commission to Negotiate Peace

Washington, March 18, 1919, noon.

1156. Referring to Department’s No. 1106, March 13, 5 p.m.³³

Following telegram from General Graves further illustrates necessity of acting upon situation in Eastern Siberia.

“No. 203, March 9. On March 3, Vladivostok Social Revolutionary Party passed resolution protesting against arrest of Zemstvo officials and demanding their immediate release; against establishment of martial law which, resolution states, has for its object punishment of political opponents and democratic representatives elected by the people and states that consciously or unconsciously presence of Allied troops is aiding reactionary group.

Lieutenant Hood, Railroad Service Corps, cabled from Pogranitchnaia, ‘Political prisoners arrested at Vladivostok are held under guard of Japanese.’

In my judgment any action taken with reference to Eastern Siberia should be taken on assumption that the Japanese and organized Russian Cossack troops operating east of Baikal constitute one force.

Ivanoff-Rinoff has forbidden discussion or mention in press the arrest of political prisoners. The object of these arrests is to terrorize the people and prevent any discussion of a liberal form of government.”

Polk

33. Supra.