JAPANESE AND GERMANS

Taranaki Daily News, 26 September 1940, Page 7

JAPANESE AND GERMANS

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.

FORESTALLING AMERICA

Received 12.25 a.m. Shanghai, September 25. TAPAN and Germany have agreed'in principle to a defensive^ alliance, to Lieconie effective in the event of Anglo-Ameri.can collaboration, such as in the use of the Singapore base, in which case Japan would abandon' her non-involvement policy, say authoritative reports from Tokio which are reaching Shanghai. Further, it is stated that Herr Hitler's personal representative at Tokio, Herr Stahrmer, has negotiated a provisional JapaneseGerman defensive pact which envisages world-\vide diversion of American attention, especially in South America and the Far East. ' Authoritative sources at Tokio declare that an Imperial. coiiference that was held on September 19 approved of an alliance with Germany in principle. However, the announcement has been delayed pending the Privy Council's formal ratification, It is underslood the alliance does not envisage immediate Japanese abandonment of the non-involvement policy, but sets a policy in the event of an Anglo-American front.

It is further stated that the alliance includes German assurances of good offices toward Russia, amounting to a Russo-Japanese non-aggression pact, thereby freeing Japan's move southward. , It is understood the alliance is Germany's proposition, designed to avert full United States support of Britain. Observers interpret it as an indication that Berlin has decided that the blitzkreig against Britain may not succeed, and for that reason .the alliance represents a preparation for a prolonged war. Alliance details regarding South America are vague and it is believed they have been left mainly to Germany's discretion as a means of further diverting United States attention, presumably by the creation of political disturbances. Singapore Question. The Tokio newspaper Hochi, commenting on Mr. • Cordell Hull's condemnation of the Japanese troops' entry into Indo-China, says: "To blame Japan is as absurd as the alleged AngloAmerican joint defence agreement regarding Singapore." The newspaper Nichi Nichi charges the United States, Britain and Australia with preparing "aggressive formations" against the Dutch East Indies and other countries of the south-western Pacific for the purpose of interfering with Japan's southward policy. "British and American economic pressure is powerless to restrain Japan, who will push her fixed policy with fresh energy," the paper adds. It further points out that Australia since July has been refusing Dermits for wool exports. Therefore

that country may be regard ed as having completeiy fallen in with the AngloAmerican Far Eastern front." The Japanese army's publication Sinshunpao, commenting on Indo-China, says: "Should a misunderstanding arise between Washington and Tokio, leading to a crisis, Japan will give a blow to any opposition regardless of what liappens."