Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1941, The Far East, Volume IV

740.0011 Pacific War/1071a: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Chargé in the Soviet Union (Thurston), at Kuibyshev

Washington, December 13, 1941—3 p.m.

1284. 1. The Military Attaché in London has informed us that he has learned from an excellent source that Sikorski⁵⁴ while in the Soviet Union has informed Stalin that he is of the opinion that the Soviet Union should not enter the war with Japan and that he does not believe that the Japanese unless forced so to do will attack the Soviet Union. The Military Attaché also reports that he has learned that Sir Stafford Cripps⁵⁵ agrees in this matter with Sikorski.

2. Any information which you may be able discreetly to obtain which might tend to confirm or refute this information would be helpful.

3. [Here follows report of conversation with the Soviet Ambassador, recorded in memorandum by the Secretary of State December 11, printed on page 742.]

Hull

54. Gen. Wladyslaw Sikorski, Polish Prime Minister.
55. British Ambassador in the Soviet Union.