Changing Far Eastern Policies of the Soviet Union

Abstract

destined to face the northward sweep of Japanese forces alone. During the opening months of warfare the Soviet Foreign Office repeatedly denied reports that it was giving assistance to the Chinese, and it charged in answer that the stories of such assistance were inspired by certain groups in Japan in order to provoke a conflict. Indeed, Soviet policy at that time was to adjust as amicably as possible any difficulties with Japan. As early as December 1931, the first offer of a nonaggression pact was tendered by Litvinoff to Japan. Although this correct attitude was observed throughout the first phase of the war, many incidents occurred between Japanese authorities and Soviet citizens in Manchuria, and in 1932 the first border clash was reported. During this period all adjustments were attempted through bilateral negotiation; the Soviet Union refused to co-operate with the Lytton Commission, as it later, in 1933, refused to serve on the League Advisory Committee. Its reasons, as stated at the time, were that it did not trust the motives of the Commission, and further, that since it was neither a member of the League nor recognized by some of the most important countries involved (viz. the United States), it could not be sure that its interests would