File No. 861.00/2352

The Consul at Vladivostok (Caldwell) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram]

61. Consul Jenkins, Khabarovsk, writes July 15 Bolsheviks tried get cooperation Swedish [Red Cross] representative in arming war prisoners, but Jenkins believed Swedish [Red Cross] representative and large majority prisoners opposed to taking arms, fearing they will be killed by Czechs if taken with arms, Prisoners Khabarovsk had not been armed the 15th. Jenkins noted entire apathy between these [of the] workingmen, disinclination Red Guards to fight. Yet Bolshevik leaders grasping every straw even trying to persuade Chinese Koreans to take arms and seemed determined to make no further; stands against Czechs. Jenkins observed few troops city except Hungarian and not so many Hungarians. Bolsheviks treated foreigners courteously permitting wounded Czechs to depart by Amur for Nikolaevsk and, on Jenkins’s request, issuing permits for departure of British and French for Harbin via Sungari. Tobinson, known here as Krasnoshchekov, former resident Chicago, now president Khabarovsk Bolshevik organization. In the course of conversation with Jenkins displayed much bitterness against the Allies, particularly America, threatening to summon Germany if the Allies enter Siberia. Krasnoshchekov admitted decided local opposition [Page 303] to Bolsheviks and Jenkins supposed there is a secret organization with the object of revolting when Czechs arrive. Jenkins’s observations confined to Khabarovsk whereas concentration of troops is reported at a village ten miles south.

Caldwell