Office of the Historian

861.00/6311: Telegram

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

Vladivostok, February 1, 1920—3 p.m.
[Received February 7—4:51 p.m.]

41. The following from Smith:

“On January 31st the Committee unanimously asked me to go into Siberia and have given me power as shown in the following quotation:83

[“] The actual circumstances of the evacuation of Czechs make necessary the adoption of measures which can only be decided on the spot and whose execution must be immediate. In accord with General Janin84 the members of the Committee unanimously consider that in order to do this most effectively it is indispensable now to have with Janin who has charge of evacuation one of their own representatives with full power to act. The Committee for this purpose have selected one of their members C. H. Smith and delegate officially and expressly to him full powers of the Committee. This letter accredits him with such powers to all Russian and foreign authorities”.

This action is taken in response to a frantic telegram that something must be done. British, French and Czech representatives called on me 30th asking me to accept this duty. In a consultation with General Graves who agreed to the necessity therefor, I accepted when the Committee unanimously asked me to do so. The main reason for this is that the Committee felt that in view of the extreme difficulties surrounding the evacuation they must delegate their powers to one man who would work in entire harmony with Mr. Stevens. Also it seems Janin and the Czechs do not accord well with the Russians and Japanese military.

I shall leave as soon as transportation is arranged. After my departure the Committee’s work will only be of a local character and General Graves who is thoroughly acquainted with it has kindly consented to act for me. Repeated [repeat] to Washington.”

Macgowan
  1. The minutes of the Inter-Allied Committee for Jan. 31, 1920, indicate that Mr. C. H. Smith was unanimously requested to proceed to Trans-Baikalia, but that action on the text of his instructions was postponed. In the resolution agreed upon on Feb. 4 the reservation was made that in case extraordinary measures were necessary he should if possible refer the matter to the Committee for instructions. The date for his departure was fixed for Feb. 6. (File no. 861.77/3304.)↩
  2. Of French Army; Commander in Chief of Allied forces west of Lake Baikal.↩