The Secretary of State to Ambassador Rockhill.
Washington, January 20, 1910.
Mr. Knox informs Mr. Rockhill that the department desires its plan for the neutralization of the railways in Manchuria, proposed in its telegram of November 6 to be considered entirely upon its merits and would greatly regret to have the decision of the Imperial Russian Government, when ultimately reached, influenced by any misunderstanding as to the nature of the proposal or the motive in making it, and says that he may inform the minister for foreign affairs that in view of the importance of the subject this Government would appreciate an opportunity of presenting through him, within the next few days, a fuller explanation of certain matters directly bearing upon the question.