793.94 Commission/457: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Consul at Geneva (Gilbert)

163. In the Lytton report, mimeographed text received by the Department, page 82, last paragraph, it is stated that the allied intervention in Siberia “had been proposed by the United States of America.”

This statement is directly contrary to the historical facts. It is believed that study of the diplomatic correspondence relating to the intervention, which has been published in Foreign Relations of the United States, 1918, Russia,92a would convince any inquirer of that fact. Department understands that the League of Nations library has a copy of that volume; also, our Legation at Berne has a copy. Reference should be made especially to pages 35, 38, 41, 45, 49, 50, 67, 72, 75, 80, 81, 82, 84, 135, 140, 148, 160, 241, 262, 328.

The allied governments, in particular the British Government, initiated and urged the idea of intervention in Siberia. The American Government for several months opposed it.

Department feels that this point should be brought informally to the attention of the League Secretariat with the suggestion that they consider the possibility of bringing about a revision of the statement in question or publishing a foot-note giving a correct version. It is felt here that, far from weakening the effectiveness of the report, evidence of an inclination on the part of the League to rectify any errors which it may contain in statements of historical fact where the evidence is complete and incontrovertible would add to the force of those portions of the Commission’s statement of fact which are not challenged or which may be challenged by mere undocumented and controversial affirmations.

Stimson
  1. Vol. ii.