761.94/1001
Memorandum by the Secretary of State
The Soviet Ambassador came in upon my request. I first inquired about the world situation, and he replied that it was very bad. I then inquired as to what extent his country has the Russian Pacific Coast fortified or prepared for defense, and he replied that they have 400,000 armed troops, or perhaps substantially more by this time, stationed on the Pacific Coast, chiefly for defense against Japan; that they have perhaps 40 or 50 submarines for purely defensive purposes; that they have an excellent aircraft organization; and that the army is well equipped with aircraft, cannon, and other modern equipment. He stated that he did not believe the Japanese would fight the Russians now; that they are engrossed in China at present; and that he did not believe they would undertake to control Outer Mongolia.