File No. 861.00/927
The Acting Secretary of State (Polk) to the French Ambassador (Jusserand)
Excellency: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of January 7, 1918, in which you inform me that your excellency’s Government has designated General Tabouis as commissioner of the French Republic to the Ukraine and instructed him to notify the Ukrainian government that the French Government is pleased to recognize it in fact as an independent government. Furthermore you inquire whether the United States Government would be inclined to take a similar step with the Ukrainian government.
In reply I have the honor to inform your excellency that this Government is giving careful consideration to the whole situation, but as yet has reached no determination as to acknowledging separate governments in Russia.
Accept [etc.]