File No. 86100/2262
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Japan ( Morris )
Repeat to Peking your July 13, 5 p.m.1
Please make occasion to say discreetly to the Minister for Foreign Affairs that the American Government has heard the rumors mentioned in your telegram and that of Japan’s promised support to Horvat mentioned in Harbin’s July 9, 2 p.m.,2 but is not disposed to credit them. You may add that the American Government trusts that the Imperial Japanese Government shares its opinion that a military occupation of Manchuria would arouse deep resentment in Russia which would be greatly increased by any appearance of support by the Allies of plans to restore the monarchy. The American Government believes the Japanese Government will agree that such [Page 298] a feeling of resentment would defeat the desire of the United States and Japan to aid in the rehabilitation of Russia and to reenlist her people in the war against our common enemy. The American Government is not prepared at this time to support any of the factions claiming to govern Siberia. If the Japanese Government shares this feeling I shall be glad to know whether they will be disposed to take steps to correct the statement of General Horvat that he has the promise of Japanese support.