761.93/1473: Telegram
The Minister in Switzerland (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 12—3:45 p.m.]
26. Yen informs me that he has taken part in a series of conversations with Litvinoff in an endeavor to arrange the relations between their two countries. At the start of their conversations Yen asked Litvinoff whether there was any possibility of the Soviet Government according recognition to the Manchukuo adding that if there were such possibility they should not enter into these conversations since recognition accorded during their course would put them both in an untenable position. Litvinoff replied that his Government had no intention of recognizing the Manchukuo. He could not promise what the future might hold but at any rate for the time being they had no such intention. Litvinoff added that the Japanese had made a series of endeavors in Moscow to obtain Russian recognition for the Manchukuo both by offering concessions and by means of exerting pressure. The Soviet Government according to Litvinoff had no intention of falling in with the suggestion. Litvinoff proceeded that they had every desire to avoid a conflict with Japan but that they were prepared to resist if Japan crossed the frontier into Siberia, otherwise they would make no forward step. Litvinoff deprecated to Yen the fact that the United States and Russia were not on speaking terms since it would be infinitely easier to act in concert towards Japan if China, Russia and America could concert. Yen stated that he replied that as far as he knew there was no chance of America according such recognition unless the question of Russian debts and seizure of private property were previously adjusted with the United States. Litvinoff then replied that recognition might be delayed for 50 years as they could not make concessions on these points without prejudicing their entire system.
Yen stated that his conversations with Litvinoff had proceeded to such a point that he now believed that China would résumé relations with Russia in the comparatively near future. He added that what was said and implied in the Lytton report made it essential that Russia should be consulted in any solution of the Manchurian question.