Office of the Historian

861.77/611 c: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Commission to Negotiate Peace

Washington, January 7, 1919, 5 p.m.

130. Referring my 113 dated January 6, 6 p.m.,12 the French Chargé d’Affaires has presented the following note, (translation) which presents in another form the question of using American Troops to insure the protection of the Trans-Siberian railways. Public sentiment is extremely restive on the whole subject of Russia as I telegraphed you last night. I gather from informal conversation with General March13 that unless the President issues instructions to the contrary, he will proceed with measures to withdraw the American forces now in Siberia at the earliest possible opportunity:

[Here follows translation of note from the French Chargé of December 19, 1918, printed ante, page 459.]

Please instruct me what reply you desire me to make to this note. Copy has been referred to the Secretary of War for his comment on the military situation which is involved.

Polk
  1. Not printed.↩
  2. Gen. Peyton C. March, Chief of Staff.↩