File No. 861.00/3239
The Consul General at Irkutsk to the Secretary of State2
[Received November 18, 7.15 p.m.]
185. Referring to Consul Jameson’s telegraphic report dated November 12, especially paragraphs numbered 9, 10, 11. These statements meet with” my disapproval, for they do not represent actual [Page 433] facts and are misleading. I have met no Russian who believes Americans are unwilling to help unless concessions and commercial advantages are guaranteed them beforehand. The reference to the consular service is untrue. I am absolutely of the opinion that the President’s decision not to send American troops to western Siberia and thus keep from becoming embroiled in the internal troubles of Russia is wise and sound and events are proving it. Russians will not play into hands of Japanese unless forced to. Whatever we do in Siberia should be done in a quiet, unostentatious manner. Attempts on some [our] part to advertise what we are doing and that we did it first will meet with resentment on part of Siberian people and other nations. …
- Sent via the Legation in China.↩