File No. 763.72119/16
The Chargé d’Affaires in Russia (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
St. Petersburg, August 26, 1914, 11 a.m.
[Received August 27, 1:45 p.m.]
[Telegram]
Department’s August 4, 7 p.m.1 Minister for Foreign Affairs in a note states that he has submitted to the Emperor the message of President Wilson:
Appreciating the humanitarian sentiments which dictated this step His Majesty has deigned to command me to transmit to the President his sincere thanks. Russia did not desire war and did everything to avoid it but from the moment this war was imposed upon her she cannot fail to defend her rights by force of arms. Under these circumstances it seems for the moment [Page 79] premature to contemplate the possibility of peace. Nevertheless I beg you to be so good as to be the interpreter to Mr. Woodrow Wilson of the thanks of His Majesty. Sazonow.