861.00/1246
Draft Telegram to the Ambassador in Japan (Morris)40
The Government of the United States is made constantly aware at every turn of events that it is the desire of the people of the United States that, while cooperating with all its energy with its associates in the war in every direct enterprise of the war in which it is possible for it to take part, it should leave itself diplomatically free wherever it can do so without injustice to its associates. It is for this reason that the Government of the United States has not thought it wise to join the governments of the Entente in asking the Japanese government to act in Siberia. It has no objection to that request being made, and it wishes to assure the Japanese government that it has entire confidence that in putting an armed force into Siberia it is doing so as an ally of Russia, with no purpose but to save Siberia from the invasion of the armies and intrigues of Germany and with entire willingness to leave the determination of all questions that may affect the permanent fortunes of Siberia to the Council of Peace.
- This paper bears the notation: “Handed me by Prest noon 3/1/18 R L.” This telegram was shown to the British, French, and Italian Ambassadors, but was not sent. For the circumstances, see infra; also Foreign Relations, 1918, Russia, vol. ii, p. 68.↩