Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, The Lansing Papers, 1914–1920, Volume II

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President Wilson to the Secretary of State

Washington, 23 August, 1918 .

My Dear Mr. Secretary: I hope you will do just what you here suggest. The other governments are going much further than we and much faster,—are, indeed, acting upon a plan which is altogether foreign from ours and inconsistent with it.

Please make it plain to the French Ambassador that we do not think cooperation in political action necessary or desirable in eastern Siberia because we contemplate no political action of any kind there, but only the action of friends who stand at hand and wait to see how they can help. The more plain and emphatic this is made the less danger will there be or [of?] subsequent misunderstandings and irritations.

Faithfully Yours,

W. W.