File No. 861.00/1584
The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 13, 8.40 a.m.]
79. Continuing my 78, 6th. Made no reply to Robins’s request for instructions but wired following to-day:
The Soviet government is attaching undue weight to the landing of Japanese at Vladivostok which the American Consul confirms but says nothing about the landing, of British. Previous to this incident, and when I last received advices from Washington and from [Page 107] Tokyo, there was thorough understanding among the Allies concerning their intervention in Russia, including Japanese intervention, and that understanding was to the effect that there was no intention or desire on the part of any of Russia’s allies to attach any of Russia’s territory or to make an invasion of conquest. On the other hand, the Allies not only wish to see the integrity of Russia preserved, but are willing and desirous to aid the Russian people to that end.
Japanese Chargé called, asked whether following in Chicherin’s statement yesterday represented views of Ambassador: “American representative emphatically announced that his Government is opposed to Japanese intervention in Siberia.” Disliking to reflect on Robins, I handed him my statement to Robins and think he cabled same to Tokyo as views of American Ambassador. Stevens just arrived from Moscow handed me following note in Russian by request of Robins, who Stevens said disclaimed all responsibility for note’s being addressed to him, as never professed to be American representative.
Mr. Robins: The People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs refers to verbal statements made to you by the Acting Commissar for Foreign Affairs about the very depressing impression made in Russia by the landing of Japanese and British troops in Vladivostok whose actions are openly directed against the Soviet authority, and about the highly unfavorable influence which this forcible invasion of Russia by foreign military forces may have upon the relations between the Soviet republic and the country represented by you, and considers it necessary to remind you of the extremely tense situation which has been created by this measure openly antagonistic (?) to Russia, and to point out once more that the only solution of the situation which has arisen is the immediate evacuation of the landed forces and the necessity of making a full and definite immediate statement of the attitude of your Government towards the occurrence which has taken place at Vladivostok. Chicherin.
French Ambassador received by wire text of similar note delivered French Consul, Moscow. I consider absurd charge that Japanese merchants killed by Japanese themselves as an excuse for their marines landing and highly improbable that the killing was German inspired. I think it is fortunate that British disembarked after Japanese did and I believe it exceedingly advisable that American and Chinese marines also land. As the American Ambassador Tokyo cabled, Japan would not intervene against our wishes and Japanese Chargé d’Affaires Vologda concurred therein. I am unable to account for landing except on the theory that the Japanese Admiral thought Japanese life and property menaced or that we yielded to British request and withdrew objection. In any event, whether Allied intervention decided upon or reembarking of marines agreed to, it is better that Allies act together. Bolshevik government more excited over [Page 108] Japanese landing than Russian people generally, many if not majority of whom so dissatisfied with Bolshevik rule that they [are] ready for any change.