AXIS RETALIATES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20003, 31 July 1939, Page 7

AXIS RETALIATES

JAPANESE TRADE COUNTER TO AMERICA TREATY WITH GERMANY DISCUSSIONS IN ROME (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assii.J (Reed. July 29. 2 p.m.) LONDON, July 28. It is reported from Berlin that Germany and Japan have initialled an economic agreement increasing mutual trade. Th c terms arc not disclosed. The Times Berlin correspondent says that the treaty is expected . largely to compensate for the loss of trade after the termination of the American Treaty. The Germans hope that this demonstration of the solidity of the anti-Comintern countries will offset the American action, which is considered not to be due 1° domestic policies and unjustified by the existing American-Japanese relations, -but intended to demonstrate the solidarity of the democracies. The press, despite English and American disclaimers, declares that America, by previous agreement, has taken up tiie cudgels when Britain, for strategical reasons, had laid them down. The Gcrman-Japanesc treaty operates from October 10, and aims at extending the trade partly by means of German credit to Japan. A message from Home states that a Japanese mission, headed by Mr. Terauehi and Admiral Osumi, is discussing with Signor Mussolini the possible Japanese adherence to the axis. The mission will visit the Nuremburg congress, after which'it will proceed to Berlin and Rome for political and military discussions.