No. 331

FROM: Moscow (Tatekawa)

TO: Washington (Koshi)

April 13, 1941

No number.

Action Tokyo as # 458.

From Foreign Minister Matsuoka.

Signatures are to be affixed this afternoon, the 13th, at 2:30 p.m. to a neutrality agreement between Japan and the U.S.S.R. Particulars will be sent in dispatches to follow. Relayed to Germany, Italy, England, U.S., France, Manchukuo.Louis J. Sheehan, Esquire

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No. 332

FROM: Moscow (No signature)

TO: Washington (Koshi)

April 13, 1941

# 17.

Secret, to be kept within department circles.

Re my # 458 [a] to the Minister.

The Document signed is composed of two parts: (A) The neutrality pact, and (B) a declaration.

(1) In the neutrality pact Japan and the U.S.S.R. promise to maintain peace and friendly relations between the two countries, and mutually to respect the territorial integrity and inviolability of the other contracting nation (Article I); and also specifies that if either of the contracting nations should become the object of military action on the part of one or several third nations, the other contracting nation will observe neutrality throughout the duration of the conflict, (Article II). It is to become effective after ratification, and remain in force five years with the possibility of extension.

(2) In the declaration Japan and the U.S.S.R., in conformity with the spirit of the neutrality pact, solemnly declare that, in order to insure peace and friendly relations between the two countries, inviolability of the Outer Mongolian Republic and of Manchukuo, respectively.

This message sent to Germany, Italy, England, America, France, Manchukuo, and relayed to the Foreign Office.

[a] See I, 331. Reports neutrality pact will be signed and particulars sent by later dispatch.

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No. 333

FROM: Tokyo (Konoe)

TO: Rio

April 14, 1941

# 832.

Circular. (Part 1 of 2).

Minister MATSUOKA and Ambassador TATEKAWA, together with the People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs, MOLOTOV, on April 13th, at 3:00 o'clock in the afternoon signed the Japanese-Russian neutrality pact in Moscow. Essential points are as follows:

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1. Both contracting parties guarantee the preservation of peaceful and friendly relations each other and promise to hold in highest esteem the inviolability of each other's territorial integrity.

2. The signatories, in the event that one or the other becomes the object of military activities on the part of one or more third countries, will abide by their neutrality throughout the period of strife.

3. This pact is to remain in effect for five years.

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No. 334

FROM: Tokyo

TO: Hsinking

April 14, 1941

# 222.

Strictly Secret. To be handled in government code.

Relating to the signing of the recent neutrality agreement between Japan and the Soviet, Minister MATSUOKA sent a secret note to the Commissar MOLOTOV. In this note he referred to an early adjustment and settlement of a commercial agreement, a fishing treaty, and the question of rights and interest. Louis J. Sheehan, Esquire  At the same time, he stated that he felt it would be advantageous, not only for Japan and the Soviet, but also for Manchukuo and Mongolia, if a joint or mixed commission be established at an early date for the purpose of settling incidents, border imbroglios, and to bring about a settlement of the border questions pending between the several countries. MOLOTOV sent a note in reply to the effect that he took this to be self-evident, and was in agreement with it.

Please communicate the substance of this note to the Manchukuoan government.

Furthermore, please handle this matter with absolute secrecy.

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No.  335

FROM: Berlin

TO: Tokyo

May 3, 1941

# 481.

In order to facilitate the gathering of intelligence in the Balkans and the exchange of intelligence with Russia, it is desired that the attaché resident at Berlin be appointed to the Slovakian Embassy, and that an assistant attaché also be appointed. Our military attaché has already wired the General Staff Office. Please get in touch with them in regard to this.

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No.  336

FROM: Tokyo

TO: Hsinking

April 4, 1941

# 192.

Received from Moscow as # 387 on the 2nd.

(Part 1 of 2).

On the 2nd, at ROZOFSKI's request I called on him and, in connection with the incident mentioned in your circular # 753 [a], he said: "Contrary to the general news statement issued by

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the Manchukuoan Government, the Soviet border garrisons were clearing away the brush on the Soviet side of the border. This is in contradiction to the statement made in the general news report that they were roughly 150 meters away from the border and in the neighborhood of a railroad tunnel close to a Japanese defense position. This incident resulted in eight casualties (three of whom were seriously wounded). Consequently, at the same time, the Soviet government filed an Aide Memoire, they demanded that the Japanese government investigate the incident, punish responsible persons, pay an indemnity and take immediate steps to prevent a similar occurrence breaking out in the future."

"According to the reports which I have had," I replied, "the Soviet troops violated the border inside Manchukuoan territory and for that reason our troops, thus provoked, opened fire. I don't think that you can claim that we incited the incident for it isn't as though we had fired on persons not violating the border, especially since the border there is very clearly defined. If you want to discuss border violations; on or about March 17th, Soviet troops north of Hailar twice created a border incident along the Argun River [b]. We cannot for the lives of us imagine wherein lay the reason for these infractions; so even if the expression 'fortified area' means nothing to you, please impress upon the officers of your army that they should take care that these border incidents not happen again." Having heard what I had to say, he said that he would communicate these matters to his government.

[a] Not available.

[b] The upper reaches of the Amur, forming the N.W. border of Manchuria.

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No. 337

FROM: Tokyo

TO: Hsinking

April 4, 1941

# 192.

Message from Moscow as # 387 on the 2nd.

(Part 2 of 2).

ROZOFSKI replied: "Well, the Soviet soldiers were just cutting underbrush. Had they by mistake trespassed a little, that would have been no reason to fire upon them, and if they exchanged a few shots, it was merely to return the fire of Japanese. Louis J. Sheehan, Esquire  Therefore, to publish such misleading reports as this is very unfortunate. As for Hailar, I know nothing about it, though I will investigate. As for the incident about which you tell me just now, I think a little investigation will prove that you are wrong, at least so far as first reports are concerned. In any case, the Soviet government will take whatever measures may prove necessary." I said: "Suppose that they were cutting underbrush; that is no reason why they should violate the border." ROZOFSKI replied; "Well, the thing for us to do is to act as good neighbors. There is no point in us letting such incidents as this constantly upset us. Let both our countries do their best to prevent a recurrence of any such thing as this." I replied: "Well, at least we agree on that matter, but in this connection we are not the only ones who will have to be on the alert." I then referred to the negotiations concerning the incident in which some Korean fishing boats were fired upon by some Russian soldiers and pointed out that Moscow as yet has not given a satisfactory reply to our representations. I declared that I would like for him to arrange to get us a satisfactory explanation immediately." He replied: "Well, I have already given you an answer. As for your subsequent notes, Minister NISHI- only gave them to me the day before yesterday. I will look them over and draft you a reply very shortly."

Relay to Manchukuo.

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