861.77/827: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan (Morris)

827. Referring to Department’s April 30, noon, and your May 2, midnight, reports from Smith and others of continued aggressive attitude of Japanese military in Siberia, impress me with fact we should make clear to Japan that in our opinion the situation has changed since we cooperated in sending troops to assist Czechs. The adoption of railway plan marks this change. Our efforts should now be directed to restore the railways. This is an economic and peaceable undertaking which calls for military activities only for policing and for protection in cases of actual necessity. In the opinion of this Government our two military forces are subordinate [Page 561] in importance to the working of the railways and should now be employed exclusively in assisting the Inter-Allied Committee and the boards subordinated to it under the plan proposed by Japan. Such interpretation modifies our previous understanding and presents a new phase of assistance in which we can achieve success best by emphasizing the purely economic and practical character of our purpose. It was for this reason, among others, that the idea of a military zone was abandoned. I hope Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of War will both agree upon advisability of now laying stress on the non-political and non-military character of our efforts.

British Government concurs in our view that Inter-Allied Committee should have pre-eminence in all matters affecting policy so that Technical and Military Boards may act along lines consist[ent] with action of Committee. This illustrates in one aspect the character which I believe should now be given to our general efforts and I would be glad if the American and Japanese representatives on the Inter-Allied Committee might make similar statements to this effect to the Committee.

We still have frequent reports that Japanese are supporting independent leaders with obvious result of fomenting disturbances which will require military intervention. These reports are borne out in general attitude of Japanese military in Siberia. Please say I hope Japanese Government will see necessity of stopping such activities on the part of Japanese military which are so at variance with its expressed purpose.

Polk