-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