DIVISION OF EUROPE, ASIA, AND AFRICA

Evening Star, Issue 23694, 30 September 1940, Page 5

DIVISION OF EUROPE, ASIA, AND AFRICA

AREAS ALSO ASSIGNED TO RUSSIA JAPAN'S WARNING TO AMERICA Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, September 28. A message from Berlin says the Spokesman said that Italy, Germany, and Japan had already decided on the precise “ spaces ” in Europe, Asia, and Africa where the word of each would be law. Areas are also assigned to llussia, but it is not stated whether Russia was consulted in this connection. It is pointed out that tho three Powers would not he monopolistic rulers, but “ leaders ” in their own areas. i Tho Spokesman added that a joint announcement by Russia and Japan regarding their future relations could be expected shortly. Correspondents asked whether Russia’s supply of war materials to China clashed with ‘ the new pact, and the Spokesman replied that the transfer of American destroyers to Great Britain provides a parallel. The decisive point is what effect tho supply might have. “ EPOCH-MAKING EVENT.” The signing of the pact is featured in all the Tokio newspapers to-day. It is treated as an epoch-making event, and likely to result in a speedy solution of the China incident. Nevertheless, one point is exercising the minds of many Japanese people—namely, what will happen if Egypt decides to declare war on Italy And if she does officially become a belligerent, will the joint military action foreseen in the pact come into effect? The ‘ Asahi ’ says that, although it docs not mean Japan’s entry into the European war, it has certainly increased Japan’s responsibility of coping with the prevailing world situation. The ‘ Nichi Nichi Shimbun ’ says that, notwithstanding Britain’s efforts, United States participation in the war remains a big question mark. Admiral Yomiuri said he doubted if the United States now has the confidence to enter the European war, being confronted with a new situation both in the Pacific and the Atlantic. JOINT HOSTILE ACTION. The 1 Japan Times ’ said that as one of the immediate effects of the pact “ any hostile action against Japan in the Pacific by the United States or any other Power will be met by joint hostile action by Japan, Italy, and Germany. This might give America to pause. Particularly the whole treaty might cause the American people to sit back and take stock of their State Department, which has so bungled international affairs that it has made an enemy of Japan and involved Great Britain in new difficulties. It has done no good to the United States, and has brought war perilously close to the Pacific Ocean.” BRITISH PRESS COMMENT “ A DAMP SQUIB " (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 28. Naturally no surprise at the AxisJapanese pact is expressed in British newspapers, and 1 The Times ’ statement, “Thus Japan makes a formal declaration of sympathies that have never been concealed,” is typical of all comment. “The gist of the document,” ‘The Times ’ continues, “ is the definition of tho division of the spoils which it is tacitly assumed will shortly fail to t}ie invincible arms of her associates. When that happens there will be three continents for disposal, so Japan is confirmed in 1 the leadership ’ of ‘ the great Asiatic living space,’ and in return recognises the corresponding hegemony of her partners in Europe and Africa. “ It has already been very obvious that there is room for only one dominant Power in Europe and Mussolini has had a strong hint to seek future expansion on the other side of the Mediterranean. Thus the allotment of a continent apiece to the three empires seems plainly written between the lines of the pact. All other nations are to be given their own proper place and this does not seem large for the Soviet and China, and it suggests that the clause against other Powers in the event of their intervention in the two wars already being waged is dictated by the totalitarian dread of American intervention. It is evidently to the advantage of the Axis to threaten to close Asia against American interests in the hope of diverting American resources from assisting the Allied cause in Europe. It was equally desirable that Tokio should gain allies —even if only on paper—before proceeding further with the campaign of aggression which every day threatens American influence more directly.” POSSIBLE DISAGREEMENT WITH RUSSIA. The ‘News-Chronicle’ says: “The triple alliance of the aggressors ‘ would have been consummated earlier but for the German-Soviet pact, which caused friction along the Berlin-Tokio axis.’ Stalin can hardly fail to feci that Hitler is now taking out an insurance policy in tho Far East against the possibility of early disagreement with Russia in the west. In the not distant future Russia may be faced with tho spectre of war on two fronts.” Tim 1 Daily Telegraph,’ says; “ From

the British standpoint it is plain that what was intended as a bombshell proves to be nothing more serious than a damp squib since our military strategic position is not affected to the smallest degree. We can safely predict that the present pact will be as dead as the German-Polish one five years hence, but for the very different reason that two at least of the partners will be floundering among tjie debris of lost wars.” AIMED AT AMERICA FRANK ADMISSION BY JAPANESE PRESS TOKIO, September 29. (Received September 30, at 11.55 a.m.) The frank admission that the new pact was directed against America is made in the Press, despite official disclaimers. The ‘ Asahi ’ stresses the fact that the pact foreshadows a new era of improved relations between Japan and Russia as the two most important Powers “ in the new Asiatic order.” The ipaper adds that Japan, Germany, and Italy regard the Soviet as a newly risen power capable of cooperation in the establishment of a new world order. The special clause concerning Russia has important significance for Japan’s future diplomacy towards the Soviet. The ‘ Nichi Nichi Shimbun ’ takes the opportunity to fulminate against Britain as well as America, characterising Britain as “ tho greatest cause of Mankind’s unhappiness—a monster stretching its claws over the vital parts of the world tor the last several centuries.”-