TRIPLE PACT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 258, 28 September 1940, Page 8

TRIPLE PACT

PURPOSE ANALYSED. HITLER - SEEKS- HELP. (United Press Association —Copyright.) (Rec. 12.55 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 27. Commenting on the pact that has been 'signed by' Germany, ’ltaly,, and Japan, the Daily Mail says: “Hitler has promised a "share of the spoils because lie is not sure he is .able alone to break the British Empire. Hitler is-'trying to spread the war.- Before another year the greater part ot the world may be aflame.*” The reaction of the average man in the street in Shanghai on hearing the terms of the pact was that it was not as bad as expected. People expected something more far-reaching, and now it is revealed that the pact is a defensive rather than an offensive alliance there is a general iceling or relief.

Reports are circulating in Tokio, however, that the pact contains secret clauses, presumably describing the conditions under which one 01 all of the signatories would wage war against another Power, such as the United States.

AMERICA’S ATTITUDE. The United States Secretary for State (Mr Cordell Hull) said the new Axis alliance “makes clear for all a relationship which has long existed m effect. The United States lias known for some time that an alliance " a * being negotiated. That fact has been fully taken into account by the United States in the determination of its policies. , , “The reported agreement docs not substantially alter the situation wlncJ has existed lor several years.