861.00/4197: Telegram
The Commission to Negotiate Peace to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received April 2, 4:10 a.m.]
1421. Your cipher telegram 1346, March 28th, 6 p.m.3 Our reports do not show telegrams from General Graves number 214, March 17th, and 229, March 26th, nor any telegram from Admiral Rodgers number 216, March 16th.4
The President authorizes instruction to General Graves as below provided the Secretary of War concurs. Please consult with him accordingly. General Graves should be instructed that the United States favors economic rehabilitation of the country and feels strongly that a policy of political moderation among the several Russian factions is a necessary condition. In particular General Graves should be told that his mission is to insure, in cooperation with his allies, uninterrupted operation of the Trans-Siberian and Chinese Eastern Railways and it is suggested that the movements of his forces be limited to a zone of say three miles on either side of the railways within which zone he should exercise definite police power and prevent any disturbance that might interfere with the operation of the railways. It is suggested further that the Department might say to the Governments having forces in Siberia that in [the] view of the American Government the inter-Allied forces in Siberia have been retained there for the purpose of protecting the railways and the men operating them under the direction of the Inter-Allied Committee, that the American Government suggests the establishment of a zone as proposed above and that the Inter-Allied Committee might issue a statement to this effect and add that they will not permit any [Page 553] [disorder] within the railway zone and will use the forces at their disposal to preserve beyond question peace without [within] that zone.