Office of the Historian

861.51/78: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in Russia (Wilson)

Washington, October 20, 1914—3 p. m.

39. Your number 67, October 16th, 6 P. M. This Government would view with much satisfaction the negotiation of a commercial treaty with Russia along the lines indicated in the first of the two conditions upon which Count Witte makes his acceptance of a mission to the United States depend. Do I understand that it is Count Witte’s desire to come as a special envoy to negotiate such a treaty or that he desires the treaty to be signed before he visits this country?

Please advise the Department promptly as to any further developments in regard to the subject. It would be manifestly improper for this Government to take any part in facilitating a loan to one of the belligerent governments. It would not be frank to lead Count Witte, whose stipulations as you report them do him so much honour, to expect this.4

Lansing
  1. The last two sentences were added on the draft telegram in President Wilson’s hand (file No. 861.51/78½).↩