861.77/1043: Telegram
The American member of the Inter-Allied Railway Committee (Smith) to the Secretary of State transmitted by the Consul at Vladivostok (Caldwell)
[Received 5:56 p.m.]
380. Following from Smith:
“Your August 21, 4 p.m. Committee did not know inspectors removed but probably would have upheld Stevens. Shall discuss same at the next meeting. See my 474, August 21, 10 a.m. Matsudaira states that Japanese are relieving present generals at Chita and that new orders will probably be issued. I believe they will do nothing to stop Semenoff. They seem to be waiting to see if Kolchak falls and if so may attempt to organize a new government east of Baikal with Semenoff as leader. The Committee has done everything possible to force Japanese to act but can accomplish nothing. Same conditions will exist until we can do more than request military to adopt. In former telegrams I have stated that we desire the military to be made subordinate. We have outlined a complete general policy but the Japanese military and … the Russian military, have completely blocked its execution. Through the corrupt Russian press they continually attack England and America. It is rumored through Russian sources that they even hired Bolshevik leaders to attack the American forces guarding Suchan mines. The Russian people generally hate the Japanese. Smith.”