MY DEAR MR. AMBASSADOR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of March 8,1918, in which you inform me that your Government considers it to be the duty of the Allied Governments to enter an immediate and most energetic protest against the recently concluded Russo-German peace and proposes the publishing of a joint declaration which, subject to such modifications as may be found suitable, might be concluded in the terms outlined in a draft which you enclose with your note.
In reply, while hastening to express my appreciation of your courtesy in bringing this suggestion and draft to my attention, I beg to advise you that, owing to the present rapidly changing and uncertain conditions in Russia, the Government of the United States, although according in principle with the views outlined in the suggested protest, would prefer, for the present, to abstain from joining in the publication of the proposed declaration.
I am [etc.]
FRANK L. POLK