Office of the Historian

861.00/985½

President Wilson to the Secretary of State

Washington, 20 January, 1918 .

My Dear Mr. Secretary: The suggestion made by the Japanese government in this despatch33 seems to me very significant of possible coming events, and I would be very much obliged to you if you would tell me what reply you think should be made to it.

The fact that the Japanese are sending a larger naval force to Vladivostok than they at first led us to expect makes an uncomfortable impression on me, particularly in view of this latest request.

It seems to me clear that we should show very clearly in our reply that we should look upon military action in that quarter with distinct disapproval.

Faithfully yours,

W. W.
  1. Telegram of Jan. 17, 1918, from the Ambassador in Japan, Foreign Relations, 1918, Russia, vol. ii, p. 29.↩