761.94/821: Telegram
The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Wiley) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 16—12:58 p.m.]
108. Soviet press released yesterday a statement given by Litvinov62 to Nichi Nichi. He stated inter alia
“As regards the question of the so-called demilitarization I must in truth state that this word does not exactly describe the state of affairs in the Far East. Too often in history has demilitarization followed the conclusion of military operations. But there has been no war between the Soviet Union and Japan and I hope there will not be. Although in the present instance it is a question of voluntary mutual demilitarization I nevertheless consider that such a statement of the question ought to be avoided. It would be perfectly normal however if as the tension aroused in the Far East by the events of the past 4 years relaxes the interested sides would make a study and enter into a calm discussion of the question of the mutual withdrawal for a definite distance of a certain section of the armed forces of both sides including aviation taking into consideration of course the geographical position of each side.
Considering that the question thus formulated lends itself to discussion I feel that this matter could be the more rapidly and successfully settled as mutual confidence strengthens and apprehensions of all aggression are eliminated. It would be for instance most important to dispel that unfavorable impression in the Soviet Union made by the negative position of the Japanese Government with regard to the Soviet Government’s performances for the conclusion of a nonaggression pact.”
The Foreign Office has attempted to arouse the interest of foreign correspondents in the foregoing, and to convey the impression that it represents an important step towards rapprochement with Japan. According to my information it came as a complete surprise to the Japanese Embassy. Competent observers interpret it as a tactical effort to placate the Japanese because of anxiety over possible German aggression and secondarily to impress the United States and Great Britain with the possibility of a new orientation in the Far Eastern complex.
- Maxim Litvinov, Soviet Commissar for Foreign Affairs.↩