File No. 861.00/2548

The Secretary of State to the British Chargé (Barclay)

Memorandum

The Secretary of State has received memorandum No. 893, dated August 11, 1918, from the Chargé d’Affaires of the British Embassy at Washington, conveying the information that His Majesty’s Government have decided to appoint a High Commissioner in Siberia, in connection with the measures to be taken by the Allies in that region, and that the post has been offered to Sir Charles Eliot who has accepted the offer.

It is noted that Sir Charles will represent His Majesty’s Government in all political questions which come before the Allies and will be in control of all British agents in Siberia, other than military or naval commands. It is further noted that His Majesty’s Government attach the very greatest importance to the questions of facilitating combined action by the Allies in Siberia.

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In acknowledging the receipt of this memorandum, the Secretary of State improves the opportunity of expressing his entire conviction that, upon their arrival in Siberia, the most cordial cooperation will govern the relations between the representatives of the United States charged with these matters and the representatives of the Allied nations engaged in the same task. The determination of the means by which such essential liaison may best be effected must, of course, await the arrival in Siberia of the respective officials.