AXIS AND JAPAN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 259, 30 September 1940, Page 2

AXIS AND JAPAN

PLANS FOR “LEADERSHIP.”

OVERTURES TO RUSSIA

(United Press Association —Copyright.) LONDON, Sept. 28. A spokesman in Berlin said 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 had also been assigned to Russia, but it was not stated whether Russia had been consulted in this connection. It was pointed out that the three Powers would not be monopolistic rulers, but “leaders” in their own areas. . .

The spokesman added that a joint announcement by Russia and Japan regarding -their future relations was expected shortly. Correspondents asked whether Russia’s supply of war materials to China clashed with the new pact. The spokes-, man replied that the transfer of American destroyers to Britain provided a parallel. The decisive point was what effect the supply might have. It is authoritatively reported from Tokio that the Japanese are anxious for a rapprochement with Russia similar to the Russo-German pact, and are making overtures to this:; end directly and also through Germany. However, it depends upon Moscow’s attitude, which at present cannot be determined in Tokio.

The signing of the. pact between Japan, Germany and Italy is featured in all the Tokio newspapers to-dav. It is treated as an epoch-making event 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? 'According to a Chungking report, officials said that, despite the alliance. China was assured of continued Russian aid against Japan. They said that, regardless of the consequences. China was determined to continue the war. JAPAN’S ATTITUDE.

A Tokio message says the Premier, Prince Konoye, broadcasting, said the new alliance would enable Japan to overcome difficulties' in settling the China incident’. Japan, in joining hands with Italy and Germany, who would establish a new order in Europe, must play an important role for the establishment of lasting peace in the world. He added that the Government was planning to replenish the national defence in order to meet the prevailing international situation. Prince Konoye summoned the exPremiers, Messrs Wakat&uki, Okada, Hirota, Hayaslii and Tonai, to a conference. He is reported to have explained the tripartite pact negotiations, after which he asked for their support, inasmuch as Japan must now seriously watch the development of the international situation.

The Foreign Minister (Mr Matsuoka) and the Foreign Office spokesman (Mr Suina) both said that the alliance with Germany and Italy did not mean Japan’s early entry into the European war.

Mr Matsuoka said : “Japan will not challenge any country. Although we will adhere to peaceful means as much as possible, there might arise a circumstance where we must make important decisions.”

Mr Suina sa ; d : “We are not going to participate in the European war at this moment. This is a pact to- end wars, not start them.” General Sadao Araki and Mr Chub Machida have been appointed Cabinet councillors, and General Ivenii Doihara has-been appointed a Supreme War Councillor. JAPANESE PRESS COMMENT.

The Japan Times said that, as one of the pact’s immediate effects, “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 the State Department, which lias so bungled international affairs that it has made an enemy of Japan, involved Britain in new difficulties, done no good to the United States and brought war perilously close to the Pacific Ocean.” The Asahi • Shimbun says that, though it does, not mean Japan’s entry into the European war, it has certainly increased Japan’s responsibility in coping with the prevailing world situation. The Niclii Nielli Shimbun says that, notwithstanding Britain’s efforts, United States participation in the war remains a big question mark. , The. Yomiuri Shimbun doubts if the United States now has confidence to enter the European war, being confronted with a new situation both in the Pacific and the Atlantic.

The Hochi Shimbun, attacking the American “spoilt child” attitude, advocated a Russo-Japanese non-aggression pact. It said America was interfering throughout the world without legitimate reasons, for which reason Japan must make her own counter arrangements. &

Other Japanese newspapers reassured the people, asserting that Japan was strong enough to withstand even complete embargoes. The Japanese army’s newspaper Tairiku Shunpu (Shanghai) said that the defensive alliance between Japan and the Axis was a factual reply to America’s loan to Chungking and the scrap-iron embargo. Should any one of the three signatories be challenged the challenger will be dealt with by force The newspaper said that if the United States gave further aid to China it would be considered a challenge and the alliance would become effective

DIVIDING HIE SPOILS. THREAT AS WEAPON. (British Official Wireless ) .Aft* I. Axis-Japanese pact expressed by the BnLsh newspapers, and a statement by the Times that “Japan thus makes a formal declaration of sympathies that have never been concealed” is typkal of all the comment. Kypmai ‘ The gist of the document,” the Times continues, <‘i s its definition of the division of spoils which it is tacitly assumed will shortly fall to the invincffile arms of the associates. “When that ha-ppens there will he three continents for disposal, so Japan s confirmed in her ‘leadership’ of the great Asiatic living-space,’ and in re turn she recognises the .corresponding le £ en ?° n 7 of T ]ler , P art iie r s in Europe and_ Africa. It already has been very obvious that there is room for onlV 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 to be 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 Union or for 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 a totalitarian dread of American intervention. A DAMP SQUIB. “It is evidently to the advantage of t'he Axis to threaten a closed Asia against American interests in the hope of diverting American resources from assisting the Allied cause in Europe. -It is 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.” The News-Chronicle says that the “triple alliance of 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 feel that Hitler is now taking out an insurance policy m the Ear East against the possibility of an early disagreement with Russia in the West,” it states. “In the not distant future Russia may be faced with the spectre of a war on two fronts.”

The 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 and strategic position is not affected in the smallest degree. We can safely predict that the present pact will ba as dead as the German-Polish one five years hence, but for the very different reason that two at least of the partners will he floundering among the debris of lost wars.”