File No. 861.77/278
The Acting Secretary of State to the Consul General at Yokohama ( Scidmore )
For Stevens, to be forwarded if he has left:
Referring last page your letter December 28 to Mr. Willard,1 Department concurs wholly your view as to importance of going ahead if practicable. Believe you and Emerson may be able to handle Soldiers’ and Workmen’s authorities with whom you will have to deal. In this connection and for your information Department has reports from individuals returning from Russia that soldiers now take exception to officers’ uniform and insignia if worn by men who have seen no fighting. You may wish to investigate and consider this, as concerns Emerson and his men.
- Not printed.↩