861.24/205
The Secretary of War (Baker) to the Secretary of State
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of October 29, 1919, (your File R)89 with reference to General Graves’ telegram No. 521, of October 23, 1919.89a
In reply thereto I beg to advise you that a cable, in substance as follows, has been sent to General Graves:
“Reference your No. 521, Secretary War directs that you be informed that State Department has advised War Department that Omsk government warmly approves your action in matter of keeping rifles from Semenoff.
“State Department has requested that in future all representations to Minister of Foreign Affairs at Omsk be made through Consul-General Harris and not direct by military authorities. Secretary War approves this request and directs you take action accordingly.
“State Department advises that specific instructions have been given Mr. Harris to impress upon authorities at Omsk the special necessity which exists at this time for a more respectful and conciliatory [Page 543] attitude toward Americans on the part of their representatives in Eastern Siberia.”
Very respectfully,