857H.01/95
The Secretary of State to the French Ambassador (Claudel)
Excellency: Reference is made to your note of November 17, 1931, regarding the adherence by the present regime in Russia to the Spitsbergen Treaty, signed at Paris February 9, 1920. As your Government is aware, the Government of the United States has not [Page 902] recognized the regime now functioning in Russia and the adhesion of that regime to the Pact of Paris has not altered this situation in any respect.
Should other parties to the Spitsbergen Treaty desire to permit the present regime in Russia to adhere to this Treaty, the Government of the United States would not raise any objection, provided it is clearly understood that the absence of such an objection should not be construed by any party to the Treaty or by the present regime in Russia as constituting the recognition of that regime by the Government of the United States.
Accept [etc.]