Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1919, Russia

861.77/672

The Counselor of the Japanese Embassy (Debuchi) to the Third Assistant Secretary of State (Long)

Washington, January 18, 1919.

My Dear Mr. Long: Following up the conversation which I had the pleasure of having with you yesterday evening, in regard to the proposed plan for the supervision of the Chinese Eastern and the Trans-Siberian railways, I hasten to inform you, in the absence of my Chief, that the seven points enumerated in the memorandum handed by the American Ambassador at Tokio to Viscount Uchida on the 9th of January are well understood by the latter.

I beg to enclose for your information a copy of the above mentioned memorandum as cabled to this Embassy from Tokio.

Yours very sincerely,

K. Debuchi

[Enclosure]

Memorandum by the Ambassador in Japan (Morris)

As the result of informal conversation with Viscount Uchida, it is understood:

• First, that Viscount Uchida forwarded the friendly solution plan to the Japanese Ambassador at Washington with instructions to present it to the Acting Secretary of State and to explain that it is submitted with the understanding that Mr. Stevens be named as President.
• Second, that the Japanese Government have proposed that the inter-allied committee shall consist of one representative of each of the following governments: China, France, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States, leaving the question of Czecho-Slovaks.
• Third, that each of the above named governments shall select one technical railway expert for membership of the technical board.
• Fourth, that Mr. Stevens’ selection as President shall not prevent his selection as a member of the technical board.
• Fifth, that the Governments of Japan and the United States shall at once advise the above-named associated governments of the plan agreed upon including the understanding in reference to the selection of Mr. Stevens and request their adherence and cordial cooperation.
• Sixth, that this plan shall be interpreted as a sincere effort temporarily to operate the Chinese Eastern and Trans-Siberian railways in the interest of the Russian people with a view to the ultimate return to those in interest without the impairing of any existing rights.
• Seventh, that in intrusting to Mr. Stevens as President the technical operation of these railways, it is understood that the Governments of Japan and the United States are both prepared to give him the authority and support which will be necessary to make his efforts effective.