861.00/5513: Telegram
The Chargé in China (Tenney) to the Secretary of State
[Received 4:20 p.m.]
[From Harris:]
446. October 29, 2 p.m. I have received following telegram from General Graves:
“Please notify Foreign Minister that Semenoff has held up second train of rifles at Chita and [claiming?] that 1,000 belonged to him, says that he will take by force at 11 this morning. I have ordered officer not to turn them over.”
I have just received following telegram from Vice Consul Fowler at Chita:
“With 50,000 rifles for Kolchak forces in charge of Lieutenant Ryan and guard of fifty American soldiers held up here by Semenoff who demanded 15,000 rifles, on telegraphic order signed General Beklemisheff. Ryan refused without direct order from General Graves and was given until 11 yesterday morning to comply or rifles would be taken by force. Were given direct wire to Vladivostok and Ryan telegraphed General Graves who answered ‘do not give up.’ Then proceeded to barricade train and at 6 o’clock Semenoff’s armored train was run alongside. At Major Gravis’ and my request the Japanese intervened and train was released after being delayed about forty hours. Japanese took very definite action and also complimented Ryan’s action. General Oi was at Chita at the time. Colonel Morrow was kept informed and [General Oi?] wired Semenoff not to resort to force.”
General Graves’ decision and energetic action in this matter has produced favorable impression in Omsk and the attitude of the Japanese in cooperating with the Americans against Semenoff is [Page 542] greeted with great satisfaction. I shall keep the [Department?] further informed. Harris.