Telegram to L.M. Kaganovich and V.M. Molotov, June 20, 1932 [On Japan Pact]

Source: Tom 17

For Kaganovich and Molotov.

Regarding the pact with the Japanese, I agree with you. The Japanese need a reservation to the pact so that people cannot think they are signing the pact under our pressure, which has been continuing for more than half a year. If the Japanese really do proceed with the pact, it is possibly because they wish thereby to disrupt our negotiations with the Chinese about a pact, in which the Japanese evidently seriously believe. Therefore we should not break off negotiations with the Chinese but, on the contrary, should continue and drag them out, in order to frighten the Japanese with the prospect of our rapprochement with the Chinese and thereby compel them to hurry up with signing a pact with the USSR.

Source: Stalin i Kaganovich. Perepiska. 1931-1936 gg. [Stalin and Kaganovich. Correspondence. 1931-1936], p. 184.

RGASPI, f. 558, op. 11, d. 77, ll. 76, 76 ob.

NOTE

On June 21, 1932, the Politburo decided: "(a) Inform Comrade Troyanovsky that if the Japanese truly wish to conclude a pact, we have no objection to the reservation he has communicated. (b) Continue and drag out the talks with the Chinese, without breaking them off."