861.00/6842: Telegram

The Consul at Vladivostok (Caldwell) to the Secretary of State

137. I have been informed today verbally by Medvedieff, president of the provisional government, that Russo Japanese agreement referred to in my telegram 119, April 21, 3 p.m., is practically concluded. Russians … will send Allied representatives copies as soon as actually signed … I will telegraph substance of terms as soon as received but I understand they are not greatly different from those summarized in my telegram 119, April 21, 3 p.m. President Medvedieff stated Russians agree to remove their army of between 30,000 and 40,000 men to beyond Habarovsk and the Amur River; Habarovsk is to be in Japanese possession and Russian property taken by Japanese is to be held by them subject to decision of Japanese Government.

Railway is reported to be badly damaged for 200 miles north of Nikolsk so that it is not certain that orders issued by provisional government in accordance with agreement can reach Russian forces north of Nikolsk or that they will be obeyed even if received. Japanese continue to bring in troops and General Inagaki told me few days ago that the situation north of Nikolsk is not at all good. Navigation to Nikolaievsk still closed by ice but it is reported that Japanese troops en route there have been landed on Saghalien. It is considered uncertain whether Japanese or Russians now in control of Habarovsk. Repeated to Tokyo and Peking.

Caldwell