File No. 861.00/1008a
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France ( Sharp)
882. For Colonel House:
Your 2820, November 28, 10 a.m. American papers have printed very little along the lines indicated. All that can be found is a statement [Page 277] in New York Tribune which attracted no attention here that officials consider that “the opening of immediate peace negotiations would place Russia almost in the list of unfriendly nations.” More emphatic statements along the same lines were telegraphed from London. I made a verbal statement to the press this morning deprecating such sensational stories and urged that they be counteracted. I said we realized Russia was going through a very difficult time and has suffered severely as a result of German intrigue; that every effort is being made to assist the Russian people in working out the salvation of the country and that the American Ambassador and other officials in Russia are working on the same instructions that were given them months ago to help in every legitimate way.
Will you not issue such statement along these lines you deem advisable and add that there is no truth in the report that officials of this Government have voiced sentiments hostile to Russia?