File No. 861.77/512
The Ambassador in Japan (Morris), temporarily at Vladivostok, to the Secretary of State
[Received October 5, 5.25 a.m.]
There has been a suspension of progress in the railway negotiations since my September 30, 9 p.m. The British representatives are still awaiting some word from their Government. The Japanese representatives, both civil and military, profess to have telegraphed to Tokyo their approval of the plan suggested but fear that the recent change of ministry may delay formal action by their Government. We have conferred with every [Allied?] representative here but while they have all agreed to the plan no one has authority to act.
I fear we shall weaken our position by remaining here too long. Stevens and I will leave next Tuesday for Harbin, where I will stay several days prepared to return to Vladivostok if necessary. Stevens will keep in touch with me until some decision is reached.
If the matter still drags and if the Department approves I will abandon my plan of a journey westward to study political conditions and will return to Tokyo to confer with Uchida.1 If Ishii2 favors our proposal can not he use his influence with his Government? Would it be wise to approach the British Government again? Stevens’s work will be seriously hampered if no decision is reached before the winter begins. After the receipt of this cable, please communicate with me through the American Consulate at Harbin.