File No. 861.00/1147
The Ambassador in Japan (Morris) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 25, 2.05 a.m.]
I am reliably informed that French Ambassador, acting under the instructions of his Government, spoke to Minister for Foreign Affairs yesterday urging cooperation of Japan in buying and storing supplies in Russia to prevent same falling into German hands. Also requested Japan to discontinue all exports to Siberia.
In reply Minister for Foreign Affairs said such steps would be useless and impractical without control of railways and that exports from Japan had already been reduced to only necessities required to provide for people of Vladivostok. He further deplored the decision of the Allies in withholding consent for Japanese intervention, which became every day more imperative. He stated that all preparations had been completed for immediate action. He said that he believed America disliked the idea of intervention, but if only England and France agreed Japan could go ahead and he stated that Japan was prepared to go as far as Irkutsk and that further progress could then be discussed with the Allies. After dwelling on the dangers of delay he said that the time would soon come when Japan would not be able to wait any longer: he felt strongly that the Allies could not ignore the serious breach of faith involved in Russia’s separate peace. If ignored it might lead to the defection of other Allied countries.
It might be inferred that Japan will intervene prior to arrival of Japanese Ambassador to Russia who is expected here in about ten days and it is rumored that Ambassador Francis has started for Vladivostok—if this rumor proves true I would welcome any opportunity to be of service to him—and Stevens is completing preparations and hopes railway contingent will leave Nagasaki not later than March 1.