Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, With the Annual Message of the President Transmitted to Congress December 3, 1912

File No. 893.51/795.

The American Ambassador to Russia to the Secretary of State.

[Telegram.—Extract.—Paraphrase.]

American Embassy,
St. Petersburg, March 12, 1912.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs frankly states that Russia does not wish to see a strong military power in China. He further expressed his doubt of the ability of China to maintain law and order as a republic. Nevertheless Russia may join the four powers already interested in emergency loans to China, but with the proviso that if so her interests, notably in railways available in war, shall be strictly conserved in Manchuria, Mongolia and Western China; and with the further proviso that Russia by so joining incurs no implied recognition of the Chinese Republic.

Guild.

[Extract.]

[Untitled]

American Embassy,
St. Petersburg, March 13, 1912.

Sir: Confirming my yesterday’s telegram, the Russian Government appears to be acting in good faith with the other powers. Russia is protecting her consulates in Mongolia with troops and increasing the consulates. The Russian Government is profoundly dissatisfied with the prospects in China and believes the Provisional Government a failure. Every possible influence will be used to prevent creation of another strong military power on Russia’s borders, or the construction of railroads that could be used against Russia in war.

I have [etc.]

Curtis Guild.