CONFERENCE AT THE KREMLIN, JULY 31, 1941
                             3 TO 4 P.M.
 
PRESENT:  MR. MOLOTOV, FOREIGN COMMISSAR U.S.S.R.
                         AMBASSADOR STEINHARDT
                         HARRY L. HOPKINS
 
        Mr. Molotov stated that while the Soviet-Japanese 
relations presumably had been fixed by, first, the 
conversations with Matsuoka and, secondly, the neutra-
lity pact signed between the two countries, nevertheless, 
the attitude of the new Japanese Government toward the 
Soviet Union is uncertain and, since the Soviet Govern-
ment is by no means clear as to the policy which the 
Japanese Government intends to pursue, it is watching 
the situation with the utmost care.
 
       He stated that the one thing he thought would keep 
Japan from making an aggressive move would be for the 
President to find some appropriate means of giving 
Japan what Mr. Molotov described as a "warning".
 
       While Mr. Molotov did not use the exact words, it 
was perfectly clear that the implication of his state-
ment was that the warning would include a statement 
that the United States would come to the assistance of 
the Soviet Union in the event of its being attacked by 
Japan.
 
       Mr. Molotov did not.express any immediate concern 
that Japan was going to attack Russia and on Russia's 
part Mr. Molotov stated repeatedly that Russia did not
wish any difficulties with Japan.
 
       He left me with the impression, however, that it 
was a matter of very considerable concern to him and 
that he felt the Japanese would not hesitate to strike
 
State Dept copy published in
 
Foreign Relations of the United States 
1941, Vol. IV, the Far East
 
pages 1013-1014
 
 
BLJ 1/29/59