The Acting Secretary of State to the Japanese Chargé.

Dear Mr. Hioki: I have to-day received a cablegram from Mr. Meyer, our ambassador at St. Petersburg, who says he is in receipt of a detailed report from Mr. Smith, the United States vice-consul at Moscow, who has lately paid a visit to the Japanese prisoners.

Major-General Lanouschinski, who is in charge of all the Japanese prisoners in Russia, informed Consul Smith that an allowance of 30 kopecks is now being received by each Japanese private soldier. Mr. Smith states also that he was present at the midday meal with the prisoners and he himself ate the food supplied, which he states was excellent.

I transmit this for your information, and such consideration as you may choose to give it.

Very sincerely, yours,

Francis B. Loomis.