861.00/5198 1/2: Telegram
The Commanding General of the American Expeditionary Forces in Siberia (Graves) to The Adjutant General (Harris)70
481. During the past ten days Rozanoff has brought to Vladivostok approximately 4,000 soldiers. This has resulted in disorder of a serious nature. Kalmikoff’s officers kidnapped a Russian colonel who is reported to be competitor of Kalmikoff with Usuri Cossacks from the main street in broad daylight, took him to foot of hill where his body was later found. A Russian colonel shot and killed an American soldier. The board detailed to investigate report in part, “that there was no justification for firing said shot by Lieutenant Colonel Sharatoff.” Night before last five Russian officers shot and seriously wounded Czech soldier. He is expected to die. These Russian officers insult foreigners by calling them foreign dogs and saying we will run them out of our country. General Rozanoff informed the assistant town major that these acts would continue as long as Allies remain in Siberia.
In view of the conditions above described, military representatives of American, Czech, Japanese, British, French, Chinese and Italians had special meeting afternoon September 26th and decided to send demand to Rozanoff to remove Russian troops from Vladivostok, and in case of failure to do so by noon of September 29th he was told force would be used. The Japanese would not join in saying force would be used. Rozanoff had been previously told that the Russians had agreed not to bring troops to Vladivostok, and requested to remove his troops, but he has failed to do so. I was informed by Navy Intelligence officer that he had been informed at Czech headquarters that the Czechs knew the Japanese had promised Rozanoff support in case of trouble with Americans and Czechs. I can not confirm this.
It seems to me the only way trouble can be avoided is to put pressure on Kolchak to remove these disturbing elements in East. And if Kolchak is not able to remove Semenoff and Kalmikoff, which he says he has [is] not, he certainly can remove Rozanoff, who is violent anti-Ally and tries to create sentiment against Allies except the Japanese.
- Copy transmitted to the Department of State Sept. 29.↩