File No. 861.00/1634
The Ambassador in Japan (Morris) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9.25 p.m.]
Referring to my cable of April 13, 2 a.m.,1 and suggestion of Masaryk2 to organize corporation for purchase and distribution of wheat in Russia. I have to-day conferred at length with Major Fitzwilliams of the British Army, who has been in Rumania, Ukraine, Moscow, and Siberia. He confirms Masaryk’s [statements?] fully and is in accord with his conclusions except as to the necessity or advisability of immediate de facto recognition of Bolshevik government and possibility of organizing Russian Army. He particularly emphasizes need of Russian people for manufactured articles: shoes, household utensils, farming implements, textiles and clothes of all kinds. He strongly advocates Masaryk’s plan of corporation financed by Allied Governments to purchase such articles and exchange them for wheat, which could be resold in famine districts, particularly large cities. Such plan (1) would prevent large quantities of hoarded wheat eventually falling into enemy’s hands, (2) would form economic foundation for Allied propaganda, (3) would create better understanding with liberal movement in Russia without involving official recognition of Bolshevik government, (4) would offer a constructive alternative to military intervention.
I am reliably informed that Japanese manufacturers have adequate stocks of goods needed, particularly shoes and textiles. I believe Japanese Government would consider favorably close cooperation in such a plan. Goods could be bought here, shipped by way of Dairen to Harbin, and handled with the aid of Stevens’s3 contingent. Their transportation could be placed in the hands of Stevens, and, if understanding were reached informally [with] Bolshevik government, it would be possible to place Stevens’s men on Trans-Siberian Baikal Railway and even further west.
This plan would involve approval of Bolshevik leaders, which might be obtained through efforts of Francis and the cooperation of the Japanese Government, which might see in it a solution of the [Page 121] intervention problem, and agreement between Allied Governments, thus joining them in a definite constructive policy. While such a plan appears visionary, it has the approval of those familiar with present needs and conditions in Russia. Major Fitzwilliams expects to leave here in a few days via Washington and will report to Reading.1
- Vol. ii, p. 122.↩
- Thomas G. Masaryk, President of the Czecho-Slovak National Council.↩
- John F. Stevens, chairman of the Advisory Commission of Railway Experts to Russia.↩
- The Earl of Reading, British Ambassador on Special Mission to the United States.↩