File No. 861.00/811
The Ambassador in Japan ( Morris ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8.15 p.m.]
Referring to the Department’s telegram of December 11, 4 p.m. No announcement of any kind has been made by Japanese Government that Japanese forces are protecting Vladivostok. Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs to-day characterized all kinds press reports to that effect as “absurd and nonsensical.” There are at the present [Page 8] moment no troops in Vladivostok and there were no Japanese war vessels in harbor up to December 14. Navy Department states officially that arrangements have been made to send men of war in case of emergency but none have been sent and no orders to that effect are anticipated for the present. Confidential advices would indicate that rations have been ordered and that three divisions of the army are ready to leave for Harbin and, if deemed necessary, Vladivostok immediately.