are with France, Great Britain, Spain, China, and Russia. Germany and Austria have endorsed the principle and we are hoping to sign with them soon. Please sound Japanese Government and see whether they will consider joining with us in a similar treaty. If so have them authorize Ambassador Chinda to sign. Prefer to have treaty signed here. Have you received copies of these treaties? If not cable Peking to mail you copies of Netherlands treaty. LANSING File No. 711.0012/575 The Ambassador in Japan (Guthrie) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] AMERICAN EMBASSY, Tokyo, November 5, 1914, 4 p. m. [Received 8 a. m.] Your telegram of October 16, 6 p. m. I have again spoken to the Minister for Foreign Affairs about peace treaty but have failed to secure any expression from him. From the trend of his remarks I infer that he is not ready to adopt the policy of such treaties. He is also inclined to the belief that the United States and Japan have conflicting views in regard to China. There is also always present strong dissatisfaction about California legislation intensified by fear that hostile legislation will be passed. We can hardly hope for a favorable response at least until that fear is removed. GUTHRIE File No. 711.0012/593 The Minister in Belgium (Whitlock) to the Secretary of State No. 12] AMERICAN LEGATION, Brussels, November 16, 1914. [Received December 7.] MY DEAR MR. SECRETARY: Referring to your telegram of August 17, 7 p. m.,1 expressing the hope that the Belgian Government would be prepared to sign a treaty similar to that already negotiated with the Netherlands Government, I beg to transmit herewith enclosed for your information copy of the correspondence on the subject with the Belgian Government.2 While previous to the war the Belgian Government had shown interest in these treaties, it was, upon the outbreak of hostilities and during its subsequent movement from place to place, so overtaxed and harried, that, as the Minister for Foreign Affairs said, he had not the time for the calm and careful consideration which he would feel obliged to give to a matter of such a character. In view of the circumstances I have not insisted further and shall not again take up the matter unless you desire me to do so. I am [etc.] 'Not printed. BRAND WHITLOCK 'Not printed: substance of note of October 2 from the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs is given in the ensuing paragraph. і PART I THE OUTBREAK AND SPREAD OF THE WAR PROJECTS OF MEDIATION1 THE CRISIS File No. 763.72/2 The Chargé d'Affaires in Russia (Wilson) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] AMERICAN EMBASSY, St. Petersburg, July 26, 1914, noon. Diplomatic and political circles here consider situation most serious and Russian intervention inevitable in case of Austro-Servian conflict. Ministry held a conference last night and issued official communiqué stating that the Russian Government is greatly disturbed by Austro [-Servian] conflict, situation to which it cannot remain indifferent. Ministers have been summoned by the Emperor. WILSON File No. 763.72/3 The Chargé d'Affaires in Russia (Wilson) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] AMERICAN EMBASSY, St. Petersburg, July 26, 1914, noon. Minister of War tells me that he considers war between Austria and Russia almost inevitable and same opinion seems generally current in diplomatic and political circles. Russian Government has ordered complete army mobilization to begin immediately. 1 1 See Foreign Relations, 1914, pp. 24-6, for the following: WILSON The Ambassador in Austria-Hungary (Penfield) to the Secretary of State, June 28, 1914 (telegram); the President to the Emperor, June 29, 1914 (telegram); the Secretary of State to the Austro-Hungarian Ambassador, June 30, 1914. The Emperor to the President, June 30, 1914 (telegram). The Emperor to the President, August 2, 1914; the President to the Emperor, October 20, 1914. 15 |