700.0011 Pacific/6: Telegram
The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Henderson) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5:20 p.m.]
98. Today’s Izvestiya carries an editorial by Vigilis commenting favorably on the declaration made by Lyons at the opening of the British Imperial Conference that “the Australian Government would welcome a regional understanding and pact of non-aggression by the countries of the Pacific conceived in the spirit of the principles of the League” and “was prepared to collaborate with all other peoples of the Pacific towards the achievement of such a pact”. This editorial undoubtedly reflects the views of the Kremlin.
According to Vigilis, “the proposal of the Australian Government will be of tremendous international political significance particularly if it receives the proper support of the great powers” and “if Japan [Page 979] is presented with the choice of participation in this regional agreement or complete isolation”.
The views of Vigilis with respect to the value of such a pact are as follows:
“The conclusion of a regional pact in accordance with the Australian project would be in the interests of all Pacific Ocean countries each of which is menaced at the present time. It would be in the interests of Australia and New Zealand, which are always feeling the menace of Japanese aggression; in the interests of China, the very existence of the Government of which is under the Damocles sword of this aggression; in the interests of the western countries, England, France, and Holland, the possessions of which in the Pacific Ocean arouse the growing appetites of Japanese imperialists; in the interests of the United States, the Far Eastern policy of which is based on the principle of the Open Door, the maintenance of the integrity of China, and the territorial status quo in the Pacific Ocean which has been crudely violated by Japan. It would be in the interests of the Soviet Union because these interests are devoted entirely to the maintenance of peace. It would be in the interests finally of Japan itself. The militarists are insolently deceiving the Japanese people in endeavoring to convince them that someone is preparing to encroach upon Japan and the conclusion of a pact which manifestly guarantees the same security to Japan as to other Pacific Ocean countries would put an end to this deceit. There is no need of showing that collective security in the Pacific Ocean area would play an enormous and perhaps decisive role in the maintenance of peace in Europe and would be a powerful factor in preventing the frightful war which the Fascist Powers are preparing for mankind”.
The Soviet press of recent date has been emphasizing the view that Japanese policy has undergone no real change and that the conversations with the British represent only a tactical maneuver. This new tactical approach, in the Soviet view, has been forced on the Japanese by fear of isolation and by the growth of evil-minded Japanese feeling in China, and is designed to enlist British support in the partition and subjugation of China.