763.72119/55b
The Secretary of State to President Wilson
My Dear Mr. President: I am not sure whether I reported a very confidential communication which I received a few days ago from the Japanese Ambassador. It was to the effect that the Japanese Minister in Stockholm was approached by the Austrian representative on the subject of Japan entering into a treaty of peace with Germany. Their answer was what might have been expected, namely, that they could not consider the matter independently of the Allies.
He wanted to know whether we had seen any indications of a desire on the part of either side for a cessation of hostilities and I told him that while we had heard rumors we were unable to [Page 13] find any authority for such rumors and that so far as we knew no indication of a desire for peace had been given by either side.
With assurances [etc.]