File No. 861.00/916
The Ambassador in Japan (Morris) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 7, 4.50 p.m.]
Upon my communicating with Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, your telegram of January 5, 3 p.m.,1 he advised me that 26th Lord Robert Cecil had urged upon Japanese Ambassador in London the inadvisableness of antagonizing Maximalist Party now in control in Russia, but that on the 1st instant he had urged the necessity of taking some steps short of actual military intervention to protect military stores lying at Vladivostok. Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs said his Government is waiting further explanation of the apparent change of attitude of the British Government and of its immediate intentions before taking final decision. In reply to inquiry as to his personal feeling, he stated he thought it would be premature to land troops, as he understood British Foreign Office proposes, inasmuch as that might incur anti-Ally feeling.
Stevens announces credit entirely satisfactorily arranged.