740.0011 European War 1939/4298: Telegram
The First Secretary of Embassy in China (Smyth) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:15 p.m.]
221. Peiping’s 207, June 20, 3 p.m.90 In several conversations during the past week with Mr. Nikitin,91 with whom I am on very friendly terms, I have gained the same impressions in regard to Soviet policy as reported in the telegram under reference.
Mr. Nikitin called on me this morning and said that in conversations yesterday both the officer in charge of the German Embassy here and the Italian Naval Attaché told him that peace between China and Japan was imminent, although expressed no views in regard to possible peace terms. Mr. Nikitin said that he believed that these German [Page 374] and Italian statements were based on information from Japanese sources, as all his own information was to the effect that the Chinese were determined to continue resistance even if the Indochina and Burma supply routes were cut off. He said that the Soviets were continuing their usual assistance to the Chinese over the Lanchow Highway, and that, if necessary, this assistance would be increased so far as conditions on that road permitted. He said quite frankly that, in their own interests, the Soviets could not permit Japan to conquer China and that, even if the Soviets should become more deeply involved in Europe, they would give China assistance to prevent a Japanese victory.
Sent to the Department. Repeated to Chungking, Shanghai. Code text by air mail to Tokyo.