861.01/126: Telegram

The Ambassador in Japan (Morris), temporarily at Irkutsk, to the Secretary of State

Your August 20th, 11 a.m., reached me on my arrival at Irkutsk and I will therefore remain here until receipt of the longer telegram referred to. Our inability to send any additional troops as stated in your August 12th, 5 p.m., which I did not receive until August 23rd, in my judgment renders the entire plan submitted in my August 11th impracticable. Under these circumstances I think that any immediate recognition of Kolchak would be unwise as it would seem to promise more than we can perform. It would be better to await [Page 423] the outcome of the present crisis when I will submit further suggestions for the consideration of the Department after consulting Stevens and Smith.

Morris