The Russian Ambassador to the Secretary of State.

[Translation.]

Mr. Secretary of State: By order of my Government, I have the honor to bring the following statement to your excellency’s knowledge.

In proposing the month of July as an available time for the meeting of the Peace Conference, the Imperial Government in no wise intended to insist on that date. It was so fixed solely because it seemed to be the most convenient to Holland, which had offered hospitality to the conference.

Having now ascertained that the Government of the Netherlands finds it possible to convene the conference at some other time, and that the date originally proposed is inconvenient to several powers, the Imperial Government is quite ready to postpone the conference, in accord with them, until such time as would be acceptable to all the interested powers.

Be pleased to accept, etc.,

Rosen.