861.24/207: Telegram
The Commanding General of the American Expeditionary Forces in Siberia (Graves) to The Adjutant General (Harris)87
534. Paragraph 1. Colonel Morrow telegraphs all rifles have reached Verkhnieudinsk. Japanese Headquarters tells me rifles will be turned over to Semenoff at Irkutsk as soon as my guard is removed. American representatives should take every possible measure to prevent these arms from reaching Semenoff. In my judgment if we by inaction or willingly permit American arms to reach Semenoff, Kalmikoff, Rozanoff, we will be helping arm the worst criminals in Siberia; we will be neglectful of the interests of the people, thereby causing resentment of the great majority of the people in Siberia against the United States; and will be helping Japan to delay the settlement of conditions in Siberia because the domination of and exploration [exploitation] of over 90 per cent of the people by such criminals as those above named cannot be permanent no matter what assistance is given them. As to your 385 it appears to me the policy of the British is based on report by Knox who is well known to be anti-American and whose ideas as to the rights of the people are very different from what I believe to be the views of the people of the United States as to the rights of citizens generally. Knox told me I was getting the reputation of being the protector of the poor who were only swine. Knox’ interests are not the interests of the United States. [Page 541] He is a monarchist and is opposed to representative Governments. Unless ordered I will use my judgment as to delivery of rest of arms. If I think they will reach Kolchak I will let them go. I had a definite understanding with Kolchak representatives that these arms were to go to the front.
Paragraph 2. Semenoff has ordered a brigade from Blagovestchensk to Chita now en route. I am reliably informed that this is in connection with effort to seize Chinese Eastern.
Paragraph 3. Omsk Government Foreign Affairs representative informed me Rozanoff is thinking of resisting the order relieving him. His action will depend upon support he can get.
Paragraph 4. Romanoff sky is anti-American and pro-Japanese but much better than Rozanoff.
- Copy transmitted to the Secretary of State Nov. 1.↩