Paris Peace Conf. 861.77/9: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Commission to Negotiate Peace

11. For Secretary Lansing. Department has taken no action regarding recommendation of Consul General Harris22 for strong [Page 479] collective note from England, France, Italy and America in regard to Japan’s action in Siberia, believing that you yourself would prefer to discuss this question with the President for action at Paris or London. Department’s number 92, December 21st, 9:00 p.m.,23 has presented to you the general question of our relations with Great Britain in the Far East. A telegram from Mr. Davis says that he read to Mr. Balfour the questions which we directed Mr. Morris December 16 to take up with the Japanese Government in regard to its political policy in Siberia,24 and that he received the impression that Mr. Balfour shares our anxiety in regard to Japanese action. I think the time [has] come when Great Britain, France, and Italy, and the United States should agree on some joint expression of opinion to Japan. If you agree, I think the question could be taken up by you at Paris much more effectively than anything we could do from here. I shall be glad if you will let me have your views and what decision you reach.

Polk
  1. Telegram No. 235, Dec. 14, 1918, from Consul General Harris at Ekaterinburg; not printed. It was repeated in substance to the Commission to Negotiate Peace, for Secretary Lansing, in telegram No. 83, Dec. 21, 1918, 5 p.m.
  2. Post, p. 517.
  3. See telegram of Dec. 16, 1918, 6 p.m., to the Ambassador in Japan, Foreign Relations, 1918, Russia, vol. ii, p. 462.