761.94/1158: Telegram
The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Thurston) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:55 a.m.]
935. Embassy’s telegram number 915, November 20, 11 [10?] a.m. Members of the Japanese Embassy recently remarked to an officer of this Embassy that the present preoccupation of the Soviet Government with questions relating to its western frontiers affords an opportunity for Japan to undertake to bring about the settlement of certain troublesome questions pending with the Soviet Union notably those relating to the Far Eastern fisheries and the Sakhalin coal and petroleum concessions. They stated that the negotiations now in progress are directed to this end only and that no general agreement of a political nature such as a non-aggression pact is contemplated by Japan.
They stated that no decision had been reached as to the place where negotiations are to be held with respect to the development of trade between the two countries but that Tokyo is preferred by Japan98 largely because of the lack of personnel in the Embassy here experienced in handling economic matters. The Soviet Government however has suggested that a Japanese trade delegation be sent to Moscow. Although they stated that the Soviet Government desires to purchase green tea as well as a considerable amount of auxiliary equipment for its Far Eastern fishing fleet they did not otherwise indicate the precise nature of the commerce which might be developed between the two countries. There is reason to believe that the Japanese Embassy is exploring the possibility of obtaining certain non-ferrous metals such as molybdenum, tungsten and nickel of which, however, there is a scarcity in the Soviet Union. They expressed the view however that unless the Soviet Government alters its foreign trade policies it would be difficult appreciably to expand Soviet-Japanese trade.
Although it is probably true that as stated by the persons cited the present negotiations at the moment do not envisage the conclusion of a Japanese-Soviet pact of non-aggression, some foreign observers in Moscow (including members of the German Embassy) have expressed the opinion that Stalin desires such a pact and would be prepared to withdraw support from China in order to facilitate its conclusion.
- In telegram No. 971, November 30, 4 p.m., the Chargé in the Soviet Union reported a statement by a member of the Japanese Embassy that the negotiations would be held in Moscow (761.94/1169).↩