File No. 861.00/1805
The Ambassador in Japan (Morris) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 17, 1.25 a.m.]
The question of intervention in Siberia has revived very actively during the last two weeks. This is due to several causes, among which are (1) report from Ishii to his Government that the President was now prepared to reconsider the entire question; (2) the unexpected success of Semenov, the significance of which would seem to be exaggerated; and (3) renewed agitation in [omission] aided by Major Pichon, who has been here for several days actively urging immediate military intervention. Emphasis is no longer placed on the German military menace, but on the necessity of establishing order, supporting more moderate elements and repressing Bolshevik movement.
The plan now advocated by the General Staff is Allied intervention under Japanese command. A responsible member of the General [Page 163] Staff advised my Italian colleague to-day that they were pressing for immediate intervention, but that the Cabinet was still reluctant. He further expressed the hope that my Italian colleague would support them whenever possible. My British colleague has informally suggested to the Foreign Office that Semenov should be used as a “spearhead” for such a movement. Prior to Semenov’s recent advance the British Government had decided positively to discontinue the monthly payments to him of $50,000. To intervene in support of Semenov would appear to be the most direct way to take issue with the Bolshevik movement in Siberia.
The present Cabinet is more secure, than when I last reported. Continued efforts have failed to develop as yet any substitute group. It is reported that military negotiations between Japanese and Chinese commissions have been concluded and that results have been submitted to General Staff for approval. I have been unable thus far to obtain any reliable statement of these results, but there is apparent satisfaction in Japanese circles.