861.00/6506: Telegram
The Ambassador in Japan (Morris) to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received 9:30 p.m.]
80. Proposals of peace from the Soviet Government to the Japanese Government were received here on March 1. They had been forwarded through the Japanese Embassy in France. The courteous language of diplomacy is used in the message which refers to numerous offers of peace which the Bolshevik Government have made to Japan but to which the latter has made no reply. The message states that it is desirable that Japan and Russia come to a friendly and sincere understanding and offers peace in general terms. The possibility of giving recognition to domination by Japan in Asia is rather cleverly suggested. A significant sentence states that Bolshevik Russia is ready to give recognition to such special Japanese interests as have perhaps been conceded as yet by no other country. The presence in Siberia of Japanese troops is referred to and described as being in opposition to the sentiment of the people of Russia. The message suggests that Japan immediately withdraw her troops from Siberia. This proposal is put in the form of a diplomatic suggestion rather than being put forth as a demand, a condition, or a request.
There is to be a meeting of the Advisory Council this forenoon to discuss the Russian problem generally. Probably there will be no action on the proposal of the Bolshevik Government.