On another occasion I remember Admiral Koltchak’s almost hopeless despair when some truculent officers had used their weapons and badges of rank to secure the persons of some Bolshevik prisoners, and anticipating the decision of the court about to try them, shot them in cold blood.  He at once executed the officers and men who handed them over, as well as such of those who took part in the conspiracy, even though they claimed to be merely the avengers of their own murdered families.  Stern, impartial justice is part and parcel of this remarkable man’s character.  It was this very trait which made Semianoff and the Supreme Governor natural enemies.

The day that I arrived at Chita it was officially announced that Semianoff had made his submission to the authority of Koltchak, and had accepted an appointment in the Russian Army.  My task therefore changed its character; the proposed admonishment became a congratulation in a very frank and friendly half-hour’s interview, the colonel returning the visit to my carriage later.  Colonel Semianoff is one of the most striking personalities I have met in Russia; a man of medium height, with square broad shoulders, an enormous head, the size of which is greatly enhanced by the flat, Mongol face, from which gleam two clear, brilliant eyes that rather belong to an animal than a man.  The whole pose of the man is at first suspicious, alert, determined, like a tiger ready to spring, to rend and tear, but in repose the change is remarkable, and with a quiet smile upon the brown face the body relaxes.  Colonel Semianoff is a very pleasant personality.  His great physical strength has caused the Japanese to name him “Samurai,” or “Brave Knight of the Field,” and I think that is a good description of his character.  Relentless and brave, kindness nevertheless finds a part in his make-up.  The princes of Mongolia have asked him to become their emperor, and should he choose this path a whirlwind will pass over the neighbouring lands.  Perhaps underneath he is, after all, a good Russian—­time will tell.  If his conversion is real he will add a tower of strength to the Russian fighting forces.

At Harbin I heard a full explanation of the reason for the Mongolians approaching Semianoff to become their emperor.  Mongolia previous to the Revolution was considered as under a loose sort of Russian protection.  Since the break-up of the Russian Empire the Japanese have cast longing eyes upon this extensive country, which is supposed to belong to both Russia and China but in reality it belongs to neither.  The Japanese have roamed all over the country during these last two years, and have spent time and money lavishly in propaganda.  They first tried to orientate the Mongol mind towards a direct connection with themselves, but their avarice and conceit offend all the people with whom they come into contact.  This direct method of getting control of Mongolia had therefore to be abandoned in favour of a round-about but more