File No. 861.77/226a
The Secretary of State to the Consul at Vladivostok ( Caldwell )
Brooklyn due Vladivostok November 25. Department advised rumor recurrent Siberia that work of Stevens is merely entering wedge for absorption of railway by United States and that arrival Russian Railway Service Corps under Emerson may be interpreted as further step same direction.
[Page 209]If inquiries are made of you, you are authorized to say in reply:
Stevens railway commission and Emerson railway service corps organized at considerable sacrifice to railways of United States for sole purpose to assist Russia in her need and without any connection whatsoever with financial assistance which has been given by United States.
Emerson and his corps sailed for Vladivostok November 18. Stevens reported en route to meet them there.