-2- #2070, December 17, noon, from (Moscow) Kuibyshev. convey to me the impression that he advocated such a policy. The Chinese ambassador however, with whom I carefully explored this subject last evening stated explicitly that Cripps seemed to favor Soviet abstention from war with Japan. Upon Cripps return from Moscow I shall endeavor definitely to ascertain his attitude in this respect. Three. The Chinese ambassador has informed me that insofar as he is aware Stalin has not replied to Chiang Kai Sheck's note of Decembsr 8 (a copy of which he understands was handed to embassador Gauss). He believes however from the general attitude of the Soviet officials with whom he has conversed that the Soviet Government will not bs dispossd to engage in hostilities with Japan at this time if they can b‚ avoided. Four. With respect to Litvinov's Exposition to the Secretary of ths decisions arrived at by his government I may say that, as the Dspartment is award, Soviet foreign policy is superlatively realistic. It may be taken for granted therefore that until the Soviet Government can bc convinced of the advantages of entering the war against Japan no other considerations (such as the general wisdom of such action or the help |