Re: russia vs. japan in 1941 [WAS: Re: 50% of NAZI oil..]

yp11 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in
> Then, in 1941 , when the Japanese Foreign Minister, Yosuke Matsuoka,
> visited Moscow shortly before the German attack on the Soviet Union,
> the two governments reached an agreement, called "a Neutrality Pact",
> providing that either side would remain neutral if the other were
> attacked by third parties. The Japanese kept their word and despite
> [...]
> On the other hand, Stalin broke the agreement with the Japanese as
> soon as this was convenient to him, i.e. immediately after the
> capitulation of Germany. In the final analysis Stalin didn't get much
> out of it, namely he got the possession of southern Sakhalin and the
> Kuriles. That's about all. The Americans prevented him from grabbing
> part of Manchuria which was his initial intent. There was the
> traditional sentimentality of the Americans about China which put them
> squarely on the side of China (not knowing that it would soon become
> Communist).
> 
> Yuri 

I thought Stalin promised to attack Japan 3 months after May 9th, which is 
exactly what he did.  In a way, he was trying to keep both his promises for  
as long as he could.

Interestingly, though, if the Americans expected Stalin to attack within 
three months of May 9th, why would they be in such a hurry to drop the two 
nuclear bombs... :)

Vassil