War for "Destruction of Hitlerism" Described As "Criminal"; Overtures Made to Japan Moscow, Oct. 31.
is not only senseless but criminal to wage such a war for the destruction of Hitlerism, camouflaged as a fight for Democracy, " declared M. Viacheslav Molotov, Soviet Foreign Commissar, in an address today before the extraordinary session of the Supreme Soviet Council Soviet Parliament), in which he bitterly attacked Great Britain and France for refusing peace with Germany. Fear of Germany's claims to colonial possessions, and fear or losing their world supremacy, were mentioned as the reasons behind the determination of Britain-and France to continue the war.
Everybody realized, M. Molotov declared, that there could be no question of restoring the old Poland. It was, therefore, absurd to continue the present war under the flag of the restoration of the former Polish State. Russia's future aims, he asserted, were a free hand in international affairs, continuation of the policy of neutrality, and cessation of the war. He announced that Soviet-Japanese trade talks were imminent, but added that it was not clear to what extent, and how soon, Japan wanted a vital improvement in Soviet-Japanese relations, Regarding relations with Japan, M. Molotov said there had recently been a certain improvement in them. Symptoms of this, he went on, could be observed since the conclusion of an agreement, whereby the conflict on the Mongolian border had been liquidated, For several months to the middle of September, he said, hostilities had occurred in the Nomonhan district, in which all arms, including aeroplanes and heavy artillery, were engaged. The battles, he said, were sometimes of a most sanguinary character.
"This absolutely unnecessary conflict," Mr. Molotov declared, "exacted rather heavy casualties on our side, and casualties several times heavier on the Japanese and Manchurian side. Finally, Japan made proposals to terminate the conflict, and we willingly met the Japanese Government's wishes.
Soviet Version of Origin of Dispute "As you know, the conflict arose owing to Japan's endeavour to appropriate a part of the territory of the Mongolian peoples' republic, and thus forcibly change the border in her favour. Such an unilateral method had to be met with a resolute rebuff, and it has again demonstrated its utter unsoundness when applied to the Soviet Union or her Allies, It has demonstrated the value of pacts of mutual assistance to which are appended the Soviet's signature.
"The agreement signed in Moscow, which restored peace, was the first step towards an improvement of Soviet-Japanese relations.
"The next step is the formation of a joint frontier commission, which will examine certain disputed questions of the frontier. There is no doubt that if goodwill is displayed, the examination will yield good results, Soviet-Japan Trade Talks "In addition, the possibility is established of starting Soviet-Japanese trade negotiations. It must be admitted that development of Soviet-Japanese trade is of interest to both countries, "Thus, we have reason to speak of the beginnings of improvement in Soviet-Japanese relations, It is dif-cult to judge how far we may reckon on the rapid development of this tendency. We have been unable to ascertain how. fat the ground has been prepared in Japanese circles.
"For our part, we look with favour upon the Japanese overtures of this kind, and we approach them from the standpoint of a fundamental political position to end concern for the interests of peace."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.