File No. 861.00/1261

The Secretary of State to the Minister in Switzerland (Stovall)1

No. 1365

Sir: The Department begs to acknowledge the receipt of your Legation despatch No. 2355, dated February 9, 1918, transmitting two communications containing declarations of the claims of the Taryba, the present Lithuanian governing body, and a request for recognition.

In reply you are instructed to inform Dr. V. Bartuska that the communications in question have been received and will be given careful consideration; but that while both the historical and political reasons which prompt the declarations of the Lithuanian desire for independence are fully understood, the Department, nevertheless, is of the opinion that this question is one upon which a decision should be deferred in view of the unsettled existing conditions.

I am [etc.]

For the Secretary of State:
Frank L. Polk
  1. The substance of this instruction was communicated on the same date to the British and French Embassies.