PACT REPERCUSSIONS

Evening Star, Issue 23697, 3 October 1940, Page 9

PACT REPERCUSSIONS

JAPAN “PTE NEUTRAL’’ RELATIONS WITH BRITAIN SIMPLIFIED TOKIO, October 2. As far as the European war is concerned, Japan remains quite neutral, despite the conclusion of the tripartite pact,” a Foreign Office Spokesman declared at to-day’s Press conference. The Spokesman added that the pact simplified rather than complicated Japan's relations with Britain, because it leaves Britain only one course in dealing with Japan, namely, recognition of the new order in this part of the world, while any country against the new order will be regarded as refusing co-operation with Japan. The Spokesman stressed that Japan never abandoned hopes of a readjustment of relations with Britain, The Domei Agency’s London correspondent says that after the signing of the Three Power Pact Japanese firms and banks in Britain are winding up their businesses in preparation for evacuation. BETTER RELATIONS WITH SOVIET • AXIS PRESSURE ON JAPAN * TOKIO, October 2. (Received October 3, at 9.15 a.m.) Mr Suma made no comments on Press reports that Germany and Italy are encouraging a Soviet non-aggres-sion pact with Japan. However, he said that if the Soviet would take the initiative Japan would consider opening negotiations. He said Mr Tatekawa, a plenipotentiary, was going to Moscow and was authorised to conduct all negotiations. The ‘ Yomiuri ’ urges the Government to improve relations with the Soviet in view of a prospective American diplomatic advance to the Soviet. The ‘ Asahi ’ and the ‘ Hochi 1 advise the Soviet to abandon its policy of assistance to Marshal Chiang Kai-shek In order to remove an obstacle to a rapprochment with Japan. Mr Tatekawa is reported to be leaving for Moscow on October 11.

The ‘ Yomiuri ’ stated: “if Britain refuses to continue the closure of the Burma route Japan wilj not request it, but will resort to its own measures for the removal of all obstacles to Japan’s mission.” It added that a British refusal was indicated from the recent Anglo-American activities, par- . ,ticulc!fjy; America’s reaction,.to the, tri-, partite pact The 1 Asahi ’ said world concern was focused on what countermeasures Britain and the United States would take to cope with the situation Arising from the tripartite pact. Britain was reported to have started negotiations with the dominions for the prohibition of munition material exports to Japan. However, only tin, rubber, and iron ores from Malay, and copper from Canada were affected, for which reason Japan would not feel the pinch. “ Britain a.pparently knows that a serious situation would arise if •uoh an embargo were extended to the Malay Peninsula. Therefore, it is unlikely that Britain will take such a •tep lightly or recklessly.” OVERTURES TO SPAIN ITALY'S UNPROFITABLE PRECEDENT LONDON, October 2, (Received October 3, at 10 a.m.) Commenting on Senor Suner’s Rome visit, the ‘ Daily Telegraph ’ points out the inherent Axis difficulty in persuading Spain to adopt the course which Italy herself has pursued unprofitably since June 10. Speaking of the Italian parleys with Senor Suner, it says; “ The facts of the situation suggest that these efforts to draw Spain into the war have not been successful. What Hitler failed to obtain from Senor Suner’s long visit to Berlin it is not likely his subaltern will be able to extract. Immediately after Italy’s entry into the war Spain declared herself non-belligerent. That, of pourse, is a status which Italy held until the defeat of France tempted her to deliver a stab in the back with the hope of obtaining spoils of victory without cost. The subsequent course of the war has shown that M.useolini made gross miscalculations which General Franco can feel small desire to imitate.” The ‘ Telegraph ’ adds that the shattering of the Luftwaffe’s attacks, the destruction of the German invasion flotillas, and the R.A.F.’s raids have given Spain a new estimate of British and Nazi power. RIBBENTROP IN MOSCOW ? REPORTS DISCOUNTED IN LONDON (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 2. (Received October 3, at 10 a.m.) No information is available in London to confirm reports current in the Press that von Ribhentrop has gone to Moscow. As these reports appear to originate in Germany, it is suggested here that the story is possibly mere propaganda put abroad to encourage the belief that the Russians are on the point of joining the Three-Power Pact between Germany, Italy, and Japan. The conclusion of the pact has not yet been officially intimated by the British Ambassador in Tokio.

JAPANESE IN LONDON NUMBER RETURNING HOME LONDON, October 2. (Received October 3, at 10 a.m.) A member of the Japanese Embassy stated that a number of Japanese residents in London were contemplating returning home in view of the decreased business. There are about 780 Japanese in London, mostly connected with business. Their desire is purely voluntary. Some are staying on. There is no Japanese ship available at present. CHINA'S INTENTIONS LIKELY TO INVADE INOO-CHINA TOKIO, October 2. (Received October 3, at 9.40 a.m.) The ‘Yomiuri’s* Hongkong correspondent says Chinese troops are likely to invade Indo-China by the week-end. At Tientsin the Japanese military authorities announced new restrictions on the exportation of furs, which American buyers say amounts to an embargo, adding that the Japanese authorities offered the Americans prices for existing stocks far below market values. GERMANY AND RUSSIA RAILWAY AGREEMENT SIGNED BERLIN, October 2. (Received October 3. at 10.15 a.m.) The German-Riissian railway agreement was signed on September 30.