File No. 763.72/5173
The Ambassador in Russia ( Francis) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 3, 9.15 a.m.]
1348. Your 1426 informally communicated to the Minister for Foreign Affairs May 25.2
He said that British and French replies had been received but thought publication unwise and had asked alterations. Formally transmitted President’s reply to Minister for Foreign Affairs 29th with the request that I be informed of its publication in time for simultaneous publication in America. He called to-day, said replies of Great Britain and France unsafe for publication because of annexation references and would probably affect injuriously work Minister of War now performing at front, but President’s reply satisfactory and would submit all replies to Council of Ministers.
Publishing to-day statement concerning Stevens commission3 wired by Washburn with prefatory statement by myself. Secretary’s note concerning diplomatic commission will be printed to-morrow.4
Industrial conditions unsatisfactory. Workingmen making exorbitant demands, such as “entire net profits,” and in some instances, “entire gross receipts.”