861.00/3580: Telegram
The Minister in China (Reinsch) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received January 4, 10:42 a.m.]
Following from [Harris at] Omsk.
“5. 3d. For Department. Situation in Trans-Baikal according résumé of report by Vice Consul Thomas, Chita.
Semenoff has constituted himself commander of the eastern Siberian Army. He suggests no [other] reason for this than [that] Kolchak is personally unacceptable to him. Semenoff could have scarcely taken such action without hope of Japanese support. His policy is largely determined by self-interest of those surrounding him. Semenoff has established his own shops in various towns Trans-Baikal and sells food, which he buys for 18 roubles, for 34 roubles a pood. His officers also engage in trade and they greatly misuse car space for personal profit. Semenoff and large majority of officers openly state that only monarchy is acceptable to them. The majority of peasants and middle class Trans-Baikal are against monarchy, but many liberal-minded people consider restoration unavoidable. Impression prevails there that extreme Right is preferable to extreme Left. Harris.”