AXIS ALLIANCE

Evening Star, Issue 23695, 1 October 1940, Page 5

AXIS ALLIANCE

HAS JAPAN BLUNDERED ? AMERICA MAY MAKE MOVE USE OF SINGAPORE BASE UNDER CONSIDERATION Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, September 30. Political commentators and diplomatic circles are of the opinion that Japan blundered when she signed the new pact with Germany and Italy, committing herself as a supporter of and sympathiser with desperado aggressor Powers who have been doing their utmost to divert America’s attention from Europe by creating such threat in the Far East as Japan’s signature carries. Generally the hope is expressed that the policy of appeasement hitherto adopted towards Japan will he speedily buried. It is recognised, however, that before this can be done much will depend on the intentions and actions of tho United States, with which the British Government is working with everincreasing accord. Authoritative circles in London will not be surprised if very soon decisions are reached in Washington with regard to the future use of Singapore, a decision which it is believed the American naval command would favour. The foothold which Japan has gained in Indo-China is regarded as having challenging implications—having in her hands ports and aerodromes which she will’busily stock with ships and aeroplanes in preparation for a sea and air offensive. Moreover, she has a great prize in Tongking Bay, lying athwart the British eealine of communications and enabling her to concentrate on Thailand, which overhangs Singapore from the north. According to a message from Chungking, the belief that Britain will soon reopen the Burma road to the passage of arms was expressed by Dr Oong Wen Hao, Minister of Economc Affairs. He said that Britain must have realised that appeasement cannot change Japan’s hostile attitude, as was proved by the alliance. The leading daily, ‘ Takungpao,’ says: “ The latest action by Japan releases Britain from whatever treaty obligations she might have to Japan.” " NEW SUICIDE CLUB " MR J. L. GARVIN'S VIEWS ’ (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 29. Commenting on the new German, Italian, and Japanese pact, the ‘ Sunday Times’ says: “The alliance is, of course, primarily aimed at America. Japan hopes it will deter President Roosevelt from action in the Pacific, and Germany and Italy that it will prevent him from coming to the aid of Britain. It is not the least likely to be influential either way, and does not represent any substantial change in the situation. Japan is fully occupied with the China war, and cannot expect help on her side of the world from the European dictators, nor can Germany and Italy look for aid from Japan. America will not be frightened by Hitler’s redressing of his war facade.” Mr J. L. Garvin, in the ‘ Observer,' says: “To belittle the significance of the new triple alliance would be an absurdity of ostrich-ism. Its mischief for a time may soon become equal to its ambition, and it is a challenge to another world war, embracing all continents more completely than in the last war. Yet when we look to the end this grandiose treaty is like a flamboyant prospectus of a new suicide club.' This ‘ document of historical importance,’ as von Ribbentrop calls it, is as directly anti-American as antiBritish. At the same time it is covertly anti-Russian. To grip the Soviet Empire in a vyce as a means of holding it to good behaviour from the Near East to the Far East is the chief object transparently veiled. “ The new order referred to in the agreement is,” observes Mr Garvin, “ another name for tho old business of despotism, force, conquest, and exploitation.” JAPAN'S EXPLANATION PURELY A DEFENSIVE PACT LONDON ? September 29. According to a message from Tokio, the Foreign Office Spokesman (Mr K. Suma) said that notwithstanding the tripartite agreement, Japan would make an effort diplomatically to settle Japanese-Araerican questions. He reiterated that the pact was defensive and not intended to provoke an attack on other Powers. Asked if German warships entering tho Pacific would be accorded special facilities, Mr Suma replied that it was not stipulated in tho treaty. Mr Suma was asked if a declaration of war would be necessary regarding the mutual assistance clause in the pact. He replied that the signatories would decide when “ war was involved.” In reply to a question whether Japan was making an effort towards a nonaggression agreement with the Soviet, he answered: “ That is too delicate a matter to take up.”