861.77/1128: Telegram

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

With reference to the Department’s August 30, 4 p.m. and September 27, 5 p.m. and your October 5, 5 p.m., you are instructed to present the following note to the Minister of Foreign Affairs:

“Excellency: Your excellency will recall a note which was delivered to you by the Chargé d’Affaires ad interim on the 5th of September last.41 This note dealt with the developments which have attended the joint efforts of Japan and the United States to render assistance to Russia through the despatch of military forces to Siberia and the operation, in conjunction with the other Allied Governments, of the Trans-Siberia and Chinese Eastern Railways. After setting forth the circumstances and conditions under which this plan of common action was adopted and the difficulties which have unfortunately later arisen out of seemingly variant interpretations of the obligations mutually assumed, the note made known to Your Excellency the necessity which these circumstances imposed upon the Government of the United States of seeking to establish, [Page 587] by frank discussion, that basis of complete cooperation which can alone permit a continuance of the participation of the United States.

The Government of the United States has viewed with satisfaction the deliberate and careful consideration which is being given to the grave matters which the note has brought forward. It has, moreover, been gratified to learn of the issuance at Vladivostok by the Japanese military commander, General Oi, of instructions to the Japanese railway guard, the faithful execution of which should go far to remove the difficulties which have arisen in the practical operation of the railway plan.

As explained in the note of September 5th, the United States is confronted with the necessity of making a decision as to its future course in Siberia. This decision can be based only upon a knowledge of the attitude the forces of Japan will assume under the circumstances suggested. My Government directs, therefore, that I bring to Your Excellency’s attention the desire for a reply to the note of September 5th as soon as possible and that I ask to be advised when an answer may be expected.”

In this connection the Department wishes to refer to the character of reports it has been receiving from General Graves—(See Department’s October 9, 5 p.m.42)—and also other sources and of which you are already aware. These reports show a continued disposition on the part of subordinate Japanese commanders in Siberia to support the conflicting activities of Cossack leaders. Today the Department has just received a telegram from Mr. Stevens dated October 1042 saying that Semenoff is moving troops and occupying stations along the Chinese Eastern.

In brief, the substance of these reports is to the effect that an attempt will be made to establish independent Russian authority under Semenoff east of Lake Baikal which will be supported by Japanese military commanders. The Department cannot conceive that any such movement is countenanced by the Japanese Government. On the contrary the Department is confident that Japan shares the views of the United States that any division of Russian authority would be most unfortunate not only for the Russians but also in connection with our mutual undertaking in regard to the railways. The Department is not at all inclined to accept as final the reports which it has been receiving from different sources. At the same time it would seem only the part of friendly counsel to advise the Japanese Government fully of the kind of impression which would be received by this Government were these reports not adequately refuted.

The Department relies wholly upon your discretion as to how far you shall discuss this aspect of the situation in connection with the note which you are instructed to present but is anxious that you should be fully advised.

Lansing
  1. Department’s Aug. 30, 4 p.m., p. 573.
  2. Not printed.
  3. Not printed.