861.77/1197: Telegram
The American member of the Inter-Allied Railway Committee (Smith) to the Secretary of State, transmitted by the Consul at Vladivostok (Macgowan)
[Received November 12, 1 p.m.]
587. Following from Smith:
“Committee passed a resolution May 27th which gave [all] railway operation into hands of railway officials only. This was immediately [Page 545] telegraphed to Omsk for publication. Although Committee sent many telegrams of inquiry no answers were received. July 18th Committee sent demand that certain action be taken. See my telegram 416, July 19, 4 p.m.94 Some of the Allied diplomats reported to us that Omsk ministry agreed to our views. For some time we waited patiently but nothing was done. None of the railway officials had received any notice. Matter was taken up by telegraph several times; still no answer.
Finally October 23rd the Secretary of the Ministry sent us a telegram giving the text of the resolutions passed by the Ministry August 12th.95 He further stated that the Ministry of Communications had sent order number 6186 on September 17th to all railways citing the resolution for giving instructions relating thereto. On October 10th all railway officials when asked by the Committee’s representatives said that they had received no such orders nor had the local manager in Vladivostok received it a few days ago.
This order did not cover the station military commandants who have been a nuisance to every one and have been a great harm to the Omsk Government. Again we inquired and October 31st received from the commander of these military officers the following: ‘Necessary instructions given by the chief of the general staff on August 19th number 851 and September 18th number 1085’. To date we do not know the contents of these orders and local officers state they have not received them. Committee feels that these orders were never sent on the dates mentioned. Technical Board has just sent a letter to the Committee citing the futility of its work when Omsk ministry sends out favorable orders openly and follows then with secret orders not to obey open orders. This is a well-established fact.
Due to the machinations of the old regiments [regimists?] and of officials who have been enriching themselves by dishonest means, Omsk has never once done anything to aid our efforts. It has always blocked, retarded and procrastinated. Committee will discuss letter of Technical Board at next meeting and will undoubtedly agree to the text thereof. We have repeatedly asked that we be given power over the military, a vote [results]. Militarism has almost driven Siberia back to Bolshevism. During the past ten months the rouble has depreciated from 10 to 300 to the dollar. We have all the time stated that the way to destroy Bolshevism is by economic development and not military force. Not one thing has been done to gain the confidence of the people. I have heard some [Page 546] Allied military representatives state that the only way cope with these people is with the whip, but that day has passed.
Stevens has ordered the Allied inspectors to leave the line when the Czechs go. The Committee will agree to this for it is dangerous to leave them there longer. Sent Stevens by mail. Repeated to [Tokyo] and Omsk. [Smith.]”