TRIPARTITE PACT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24424, 9 October 1940, Page 7

TRIPARTITE PACT

THE TRUE INTENTIONS PREVENTING SPREAD OF WAR JAPANESE DECLARATION (United Press Association ) (By Electric Telegraph— Copyright! TOKIO, Oct. 7. The Foreign Minister (Mr Yosuki Malsuoka). addressing a gubernatorial conference, said: '“Japan has no intention of picking a quarrel with any country. She must, however, peremptorily reject all nations which attempt to disturb the peace of the Far East by prolonging the Sino-Japanese conflict through assisting Chiang Kai-Shek. If and when Chiang realises that the true intentions of the tripartite pact are to prevent the European war becoming a world conflagration, simultaneously building up a new world order,” he said, “ I am sure he will realise the wisdom of co-operating with Japan in the construction of a greater East Asia instead of prolonging the killing of innocent Chinese people by playing the role of the front line for European and American capitalism.” Mr Matsuoka said it was impossible at present to state definitely the Alliance repercussions, but Japan must make the necessary preparations in anticipation of the worst to come. He added that the conclusion of the pact did not mean that Japan would immediately enter the war, with any non-signatory nation, and emphasised that Japan was only “too eager” to maintain friendly relations with all nations which were willing to co-operate. “ While past - Russian-Japanese relations were far from satisfactory,” he said, “ this is not the time for the two countries to be at loggerheads. They should co-operate for a higher objective. Nothing would please the rest of the world more than a Russian-Japanese clash.”

The Prime Minister (Prince Konoye), addressing the conference, reiterated that the objectives of the tripartite pact were peaceful, but added that Japan should perpetually be prepared to meet the worst situation which may unfortunately arise.”

“ NOTHING WILL STOP US ” TOKIO, Oct. 7. (Received Oct. 8, at 11.30 p.m.) The Asahi Shimbun, praising Mr Matsuoka’s speech to the Governors in an editorial, said: “Japan will not permit British or United States opposition to defeat her aim. We have only to push forward, determined nothing will stop us, British and United States hostility is preposterous and incomprehensible.” RUSSIA’S ATTITUDE AMERICA WANTS TO KNOW WASHINGTON, Oct. 8. (Received Oct. 9, at 2 a.m.) Mr Sumner Welles conferred with the Russian Ambassador, M. Oumansky, after a lapse of several weeks, gresumably with regard to the Far ast. A diplomatic official said that the meeting indicated that American, officials were anxious to determine Russia’s fundamental attitude towards the trioartite pact. He said that., should Russia be willing to join the United States in a “stop Japan ”• front, a new aspect might be given to the world diplomatic situation. He pointed out. however, that there was not yet positive evidence of the removal of numerous elemental obstacles to RussianAmerican accord.