Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Address of the President to Congress December 4, 1917

File No. 793.94/523

The Secretary of State to Ambassador Guthrie

[Telegram]

Department of State,
Washington, September 13, 1916, 5 p.m.

Your telegram of September 11, 7 p.m. In view of the provisions of item five in Root-Takahira notes, Department is surprised that Minister for Foreign Affairs should question propriety of enquiry. The presence of Japanese troops in Mongolia and extension of police jurisdiction of Japan appear to Department to affect status quo as described in notes mentioned and to justify the two Governments communicating with each other as therein agreed.

Lansing