761.9411/130: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Steinhardt) to the Secretary of State
[Received 1:20 p.m.]
857. The Moscow papers yesterday published telegrams sent by Matsuoka to Stalin and Molotov on the occasion of the ratification of the Soviet-Japanese pact. In his message to Stalin after renewing his expressions of congratulation and thanks over what he described as a “Blitzkrieg” accomplished without diplomatic formalities. Matsuoka said: “I believe and do not doubt that thanks to the cooperation of Your Excellency, relations between Japan and the Soviet Union will strengthen even more.”
The press also published a joint reply from Stalin and Molotov which in addition to the usual polite phrases contained the following statement: “We express the firm conviction that the pact of neutrality which has entered into effect is a basis for further improvement of [Page 970] Soviet-Japanese relations the development of which the peoples of our country will greet with satisfaction.”