File No. 861.00/1252
The Ambassador in France (Sharp) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 8, 2.34 a.m.]
3310. Mr. Pichon, at the Foreign Office this afternoon, told me that he had received a communication yesterday from London to the effect that Balfour had cabled the British Ambassador at Tokyo, instructing him to call his colleagues together to outline a joint proposition, which should embody the views of the Allied Governments with reference to the merits of intervention in Siberia. This proposition was then to be submitted to all the Allied Governments for approval, after which, with whatever modifications might be made, it would be submitted to the Japanese Government.
I was informed that the French Ambassador was instructed at least a fortnight ago that the French Government would expect that if Japan entered Siberia it would be for the purpose of advancing [Page 73] far enough and with such strength as to be of military aid to the Allied powers and that an understanding should be first had, providing for the evacuation of the territory so occupied by Japan free from any territorial ambitions or plans. During the conversation, Mr. Pichon told me that he believed the Japanese troops would meet with very little resistance in Siberia and that consequently their march would be rapid. He thought in view of recent news received to the effect that Germany was contemplating steps for occupying certain territories beyond the Caucasus threatening Asia, that the Japanese Army might be of service in heading off such a movement.