communication in 1929• In 1931? the principal purpose of Japan' strong policy against Soviet Russia was said to be the conquest of Eastern Siberia rather than defense against Communism.3 As early as 1932 a Russo-Japanese war was considered inevitable and it was declared necessary that Japan be ready to appeal to arms 2.Exhibit 6935 TP 7,452. In the record of a conversation in 1931 between the accused HIROTA, Koki. then Ambassador to the U.S.S.R., and Ha S or. General MR ADA, intended for trans¬mittal to the Chief of General Staff, it is said: "Aside from whether Japan will wage a war against Soviet Russia, it is necessary for Japan to have strong policies against Soviet Russia being ready for war at any time. Its principal purpose is not defense against Communism but rather the conquest of Eastern Siberia." Notes In the affidavit of TAKEBE, Rokuzo, Exhibit 670, TP 7,331? admitted in evidence subject to the ruling of the Tribunal, TP 24,517, it is stated that the accused AiiAKI in a speech at a meeting of Prefectural Governors in 1933 or 1934 explained the necessity of Japan acquiring the Maritime Provinces of the U.S.S.R. The accused SUZUKI also spoke on the same subject. 3.Exhibit 734-A, TP 7,647. On 15 November 1929, the accused HASHIMOTO, Kingoro, then Japanese Military Attache in Istanbul, in a letter addressed to the Assistant Chief of the Japanese General Staff said? "The Caucasus area, various in race and religion, is affected little by Russian civilization, being located far from the center of Soviet Russia. Considering this, the Caucasus is surely an import¬ant area from the standpoint of strategems against Russia. However, because of the fact that the various races in the area are antagonistic to each other and cannot cooperate in doing anything, we cannot deny that it will be very difficult to unite the whole Caucasus in rising against Russia unless by the force of military occupation."