861.00/8692: Telegram
The Chargé in Japan (Bell) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7:40 p.m.]
197. Last paragraph my no. 192 of June 2. The military attaché has been informed by the War Office that the Japanese military attaché in Washington was called in by you and that you spoke to him on this subject very strongly. The War Office was greatly disturbed to have the American Government think that the Japanese acted in an unneutral way. They state that according to more recent information it is indicated that Semenov took supplies but did not take arms and ammunition, and that only about sixty officers accompanied him. Japanese authorities for the last few days have insisted that they are keeping strictly neutral in Vladivostok, that they sought to persuade Semenov not to leave Port Arthur, and that they are putting difficulties in the way of his landing. Nevertheless it is true that Semenov did leave Port Arthur, sailing on a Japanese ship which he chartered.