861.77/1099: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Morris), temporarily at Vladivostok, to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received 9:20 p.m.]
521. At the suggestion of Mr. Matsudaira, Stevens and I discussed with General Oi yesterday the question of policy in guarding the railway. General Oi, in stating his proposal, did not refer to the previous orders of General Otani, but expressed his opinion that the future operation of the railway imperatively required that the representatives of the Technical Board and the railway employees should be protected and supported by the military from all interference in the performance of their duties. He said that all his officers would be so instructed in principle with direction to refer to their senior commandant for action any doubtful or delicate cases which might arise.
In commenting on the letter of General Otani to the Inter-Allied Committee, which was interpreted by the Committee as limiting the duties of Japanese troops simply to the protection of the line from outside attack, Mr. Matsudaira, who was present, stated that in his judgment the letter was unfortunately worded and conveyed a different impression from the one intended. He thought it also possible that the orders issued by General Otani to his subordinate officers may have conveyed the same impression to them and that this would in part explain the statements attributed to Generals Oba and Saito, and the message conveyed to me while at Omsk by General Takayanagi. He believed, however, that Mr. Stevens and the Allied railway inspectors had also misunderstood the Japanese attitude, and had imputed to the Japanese commanders, particularly in the Semenoff district, intentions and sympathies which they did not possess.
[Page 582]We all agreed, however, that the question was one of future policy and practice. General Oi said that he intended to issue at once the instructions to the Japanese commanders in accordance with the views he had expressed and that he would give a copy to Mr. Stevens. He requested Mr. Stevens, after the receipt of these instructions, to bring them to the attention of the railway inspectors and thus avoid misunderstanding in the future. Mr. Stevens expressed willingness to furnish General Oi directly with all general orders of the Technical Committee for the information and guidance of the Japanese command. I understand that Mr. Matsudaira expects to supplement the letter of General Otani to the Inter-Allied Committee by a letter from General Oi which will define the Japanese military policy.
I am unable to determine whether Matsudaira and Oi are acting under instructions from Tokyo or on their own initiative. I informed Matsudaira of our Government’s note but he tells me that he had received no advice from Tokyo in reference to it. Stevens believes that if General Oi’s instructions correspond with the statement made to us we should of course accept this action in good faith and make a new start.