PACT DESCRIBED AS DEAD SQUIB

Southland Times, Issue 24244, 30 September 1940, Page 5

PACT DESCRIBED AS DEAD SQUIB

Position Of Britain Not Affected

(Received September 29, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 28.

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-Tokyo axis. Stalin can hardly fail to feel that Hitler is now taking out an insurance policy in the Far East against the possibility of an early disagreement with Russia in the west. In the not distant future Russia may be faced with the spectre of war on two fronts.

The Daily Telegraph says: “From the British standpoint it is plain that what was intended as a bombshell proves nothing more serious than a dead squib as our military and strategic position is not affected in the smallest degree. We can safely predict that the present pact will be as dead as the German-Polish one five years hence, but for a very different reason, that two at least of the partners will be floundering in the debris of a lost war.” EFFORT TO SPREAD WAR The Daily Mail says that Hitler promised to share the spoils because he was not sure that he would be able alone to break the British Empire. Hitler is trying to spread the war. Before another year the greater part of the world may be aflame. The Japanese vernacular Press hails the pact. The Asahi Shimbun says that although 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 Nichi Nichi 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.

It is authoritatively stated in Rome that the alliance is intended to forestall the entry'of the United States into the war.

It is authoritatively stated in Shanghai that the pact is a four-way defensive alliance (apparently including Spain) with economic sidelights and will be effective in the event of American participation in the European war or in the event of an Anglo-American front in the Orient. It envisages a Spanish political offensive in South America in co-operation with German “fifth columnists” in an effort to divert the United States from the Orient.

Shanghai authorities regard the alliance as an Axis victory in the sense that Japan’s fleet can now be employed to immobilize the United States Navy

in the Pacific and that It may possibly even involve the United States in a Pacific war, thus impeding American activities to aid Britain.

The first reaction in Washington is to intensify the defences especially by means of a two ocean navy and by strengthening the outlying defences in the Pacific and the Atlantic.

The Japanese Prime Minister, Prince Fuminaro Konoye, summoned the former Prime Ministers, Baron Reijiro Wakatsuki, Rear-Admiral Okada, Mr Koki Hirota, General Senjuro Hayashi and Rear-Admiral Mitsumasa Yonai to a conference. He is reported to have explained the tripartite pact negotiations, after which he asked their support inasmuch as Japan must now seriously watch the development of the international situation.

Signor Mussolini, telegraphing Prince Konoye, said that the Italians welcome the pact. “We are associating,” he said, “the energies ‘ our countries in the great task of European and Asiatic reconstruction. Italy has long followed with unchanged sympathy the development irf Japanese policy of such high aims as logically culminate in today’s events.”

Chungking officials said that in spite of 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.

Prince Konoye, broadcasting, said the new alliance would enable Japan to overcome her difficulties in settling the China incident. Japan was joining hands with Italy and Germany, who would establish a new order in Europe and must play an important role for the establishment of lasting peace in the world. He added that the Government was planning to replenish national defence in order to meet the prevailing international situation.

Such of the cable news In this issue as Is so headed has appeared In The Times and is sent to this paper by special permission. It should be understood that the opinions are not those of The Times unless expressly stated to be so.