Soviet-Japanese Neutrality and denunciation.

This file contains the following documents in order of
appearance in the file:

(1) PACT OF NEUTRALITY BETWEEN UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST
REPUBLICS AND JAPAN

(2) DECLARATION REGARDING MONGOLIA

(3) SOVIET DENUNCIATION OF PACT WITH JAPAN

(4) SOVIET WAR DECLARATION ON JAPAN

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(1) PACT OF NEUTRALITY BETWEEN UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST
REPUBLICS AND JAPAN

The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of teh Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics and His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, guided
by a desire to strengthen peaceful and friendly relations
between teh two countries, have decided to conclude a pact on
neutrality, for which purpose they have appointed as their
Representatives:

the Presidum of teh Supreme Soviet of teh Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics -

Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Molotov, Chairman of the Council of
People's Commissars and People's Commissar of Foreign Affairs of
the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics;

His Majesty the Emperor of Japan -

Yosuke Matsuoka, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jusanmin, Cavalier
of the Order of teh Sacred Treasure of the First Class, and

Yoshitsugu Tatekawa, Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics,
Lieutenant General, Jusanmin, Cavalier of the Order of the
Rising Sun of the First Class and the Order of the Golden Kite
of the Fourth Class,

who, after an exchange of their credentials, which were found in
due and proper form, have agreed on the following:

ARTICLE ONE

Both Contracting Parties undertake to maintain peaceful and
friendly relations between them and mutually respect the
territorial integrity and inviolability of the other Contracting
Party.

ARTICLE TWO

Should one of the Contracting Parties become the object of
hostilities on the part of one or several third powers, the
other Contracting Party will observe neutrality throughout the
duration of the conflict.

ARTICLE THREE

The present Pact comes into force from the day of its
ratification by both Contracting Parties and remains valid for
five years.  In case neither of the Contracting Parties
denounces the Pact one year before the expiration of the term,
it will be considered automatically prolonged for the next five
years.

ARTICLE FOUR

The present Pact is subject to ratification as soon as possible.
The instruments of ratification shall be exchanged in Tokyo,
also as soon as possible.

In confirmation whereof the above-named Representatives have
signed the present Pact in two copies, drawn up in the Russian
and Japanese languages, and affixed thereto their seals.

Done in Moscow on April 13, 1941, which corresponds to the 13th
day of the fourth month of the 16th year of Showa.

V. MOLOTOV
YOSUKE MATSUOKA
YOSHITSUGU TATEKAWA

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(2) DECLARATION REGARDING MONGOLIA

DECLARATION

In conformity with the spirit of the Pact on neutrality
concluded on April 13, 1941, between the U.S.S.R. and Japan, the
Government of the U.S.S.R. and the Government of Japan, in the
interest of insuring peaceful and friendly relations between the
two countries, solemnly declare that the U.S.S.R. pledges to
respect teh territorial integrity and inviolability of
Manchoukuo and Japan pledges to respect the territorial
integrity and inviolability of the Mongolian People's Republic.

Moscow, April 13, 1941

On behalf of teh Government of the U.S.S.R.

V. MOLOTOV

On behalf of the Government of Japan

YOSUKE MATSUOKA
YOSHITSUGU TATEKAWA

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(3) SOVIET DENUNCIATION OF PACT WITH JAPAN

(The Department of State Bulletin, Vol. XII, No. 305, April 29,
1945)

The American Ambassador at Moscow transmitted to the Secretary
of State, by a telegram dated April 5, 1945, the following
statement, as received from the press section of the Foreign
Office, regarding Soviet denunciation of the U.S.S.R.-Japanese
neutrality pact:

" 'Today at 3 p.m. People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the
USSR Mr. V. M. Molotov, received the Japanese Ambassador, Mr. N.
Sato, and made the following statement to him in the name of the
Soviet Government:

" 'The neutrality pact between the Soviet Union and Japan was
concluded on April 13, 1941, that is, before the attack of
Germany on the USSR and before the outbreak of war between Japan
on the one hand and England and the United States on the other.
Since that time the situation has been basically altered.
Germany has attacked the USSR, and Japan, ally of Germany, is
aiding the latter in its war against the USSR.  Furthermore
Japan is waging a war with the USA and England, which are allies
of the Soviet Union.

" 'In these circumstances the neutrality pact between Japan and
the USSR has lost its sense, and the prolongation of that pact
has become impossible.

" 'On the strength of the above and in accordance with Article
Three of the above mentioned pact, which envisaged the right of
denunciation one year before the lapse of the five year period
of operation of the pact, the Soviet Government hereby makes
know to the Government of Japan its wish to denounce the pact of
April 13, 1941.'

" 'The Japanese Ambassador Mr. N. Sato, promised to inform the
Japanese Government of the statement of the Soviet Government."

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(4) SOVIET WAR DECLARATION ON JAPAN

London, Aug., 8, 1945 - Foreign Commissar Molotoff's (sic)
announcement of the declaration of war, as broadcast by Moscow,
follows:

On Aug. 8, People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the
U.S.S.R.  Molotoff received the Japanese Ambassador, Mr. Sato,
and gave him, on behalf of the Soviet Government, the following
for transmission to the Japanese Government:

"After the defeat and capitulation of Hitlerite Germany, Japan
became the only great power that sill stood for the continuation
of the war.

"The demand of the three powers, the United States, Great
Britain and China, on July 26 for the unconditional surrender of
the Japanese armed forces was rejected by Japan, and thus the
proposal of the Japanese Government to the Soviet Union on
mediation in the war in the Far East loses all basis.

"Taking into consideration the refusal of Japan to capitulate,
the Allies submitted to the Soviet Government a proposal to join
the war against Japanese aggression and thus shorten the
duration of the war, reduce the number of victims and facilitate
the speedy restoration of universal peace.

"Loyal to its Allied duty, the Soviet Government has accepted
the proposals of the Allies and has joined in the declaration of
the Allied powers of July 26.

"The Soviet Government considers that this policy is the only
means able to bring peace nearer, free the people from further
sacrifice and suffering and give the Japanese people the
possibility of avoiding the dangers and destruction suffered by
Germany after her refusal to capitulate unconditionally.

"In view of the above, the Soviet Government declares that from
tomorrow, that is from Aug. 9, the Soviet Government will
consider itself to be at war with Japan."


Formatted, edited and indexed by
Larry W. Jewell
[email protected]

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