AXIS & JAPAN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 September 1940, Page 9

AXIS & JAPAN

, HOPES BASED ON PACT LONDON COMMENT DISPOSAL OF CONTINENTS. DREAD OF UNITED STATES INTERVENTION. {British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY. September 28. There is naturally no surprise at the Axis-Japanese pact expressed by the British newspapers, and a statement by “The Times” that “Japan thus makes a formal declaration of sympathies that have never been concealed,” is typical of all the comment. “The gist of the document,” “The v Times” continues, “is its definition of r •' the division of spoils which it is tacitly ; assumed will shortly fall to the invin-cife-te arms of the associates. “When that happens there will be three continents for disposal, so Japan is confirmed in her ‘leadership’ of the ‘great Asiatic living-space,’ ,and in return she recognises the corresponding hegemony of her partners in Europe and Africa. It already has been very obvious that there is room for only 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. "It is evidently to the advantage of the Axis to threaten a closed Asia against American interests in the hope of diverting American resources 1 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 BerlinTokio 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,” it states. “In the not distant future Russia may be faced with the spectre of a war on two fronts.” “A DAMP SQUIB.” 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 I , / a damp squib, since our military and -" t 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 the very different reason that two at least of the partners will be floundering among the debris of lost wars.”

RESERVE IN JAPAN. Though authoritative British comment for the present is withheld, an earlier message stated, it is noted that the ecstatic effusion with which Berlin greeted the development is in marked contrast with the 'reserved comment from Japan. While there is no inclination here to assume that this apparent lack of enthusiasm denotes coolness in Japan toward the new move, unofficial observers of the general situation A in London find it difficult to discover what Japan may.expect to get out of the agreement. In their view, it is equally obscured what raw materials or other assistance can be contributed by Germany and Italy, who are now putting forward their maximum effort against the British Empire. The reference to the Japanese “new order for Asia” appears to be purely academic. TJiere is, indeed, no sign that Japan needs German and Italian assistance in promoting the plans she has conceived independently. Neither Germany nor Italy, in fact, appear to make any contribution whatever. The agreement, in short, appears to be designed to have the maximum propaganda, if not material, value for Germany and Italy, but its utility for Japan is extremely doubtful, and commentators here find it difficult to resist the conclusion that Japan has been hurried into an arrangement which can bring her only the embarrassment of undertakings which she will have to carry on alone. It is noted that Article 3 of the agreement provides that Germany, Italy, and Japan agree to collaborate on all

questions and to aid each other by all economic and military means if one of the three signatories is attacked by -,a nation which is not taking part in war —a provision designed presumably ,4o intimidate the United States, as it is difficult to suggest any other Power to which it. could possibly refer. There is a natural inclination on the part of the Press to read this article in relation to recent moves at Washington, and notably last night’s announcement that an embargo has been placed, as from October 15, on the export of iron and steel scrap to all nations save those of the Western Hemisphere and Britain. This announcement was accompanied by the news that the United States Metal Reserve Company has agreed to buy £7,500.000 worth of tungsten from China, and that the Export Bank, another official institution, is to lend to China £6,250,000. Washington messages add that President Roosevelt is deeply preoccupiedd with the Far Eastern problem. NEW ORDER IN ASIA

BROADCAST BY JAPANESE PREMIER. STATEMENT BY FOREIGN MINISTER. TOKIO, September 28. 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 impor-

tant 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 Wakatsuki, Okada. Hirota, Hayashi 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 Office announced that the Emperor had granted a rescript permitting the signature of the alliance in ordei- that “peace might be restored as soon as possible.” The Foreign Office spokesman, Mr Suma, said: “We are not changing our

policy toward the United States. We are not abandoning hope of readjusting our relations with the United States.” EFFECT OF* ALLIANCE. The Foreign Minister, Mr Matsuoka, and Mr Suma 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 Suma said: “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 Chuji Machida have been appointed Cabinet councillors, and General Kenji Doihara has been appointed a Supreme War Councillor.

Cabinet has announced the appointment of 10 permanent managers for the establishment of the new national structure. They include Mr Seigoh Nakano and Colonel Kingoro Hashimoto, who favour the Axis, and the president of the Domei news agency, Mr Inosuke Furuno. and also Count Yoriyasu Arima, who has been appointed Director-General and is a friend of Prince Konoye. The following Cabinet appointments have been announced: — Minister of Overseas Territories, Mr Kiyoshi Akita, former Speaker of the Lower House. Welfare Minister, Mr Tsuneo Kanemitsu, former Vice-Speaker. Minister of Railways, Mr Gotaro Ogawa, former Commerce Minister. JAPANESE PRESS VIEWS. 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 has 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 “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. The “Hochi Shirqbun,” 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 Japanmust make her own counter arrangements.

Other Japanese newspapers, reassured the people, asserting that Japan was strong enough to withstand even complete embargoes. A defiant threat was launched by the extremist Japanese newspaper “Kokumin Shimbun” in an outburst against Britain and America occasioned by America’s loan to China and her embargo on the export of scrap metal. The paper said: “If the British and Americans continue their unprovoked anti-Japanese stand they will get a telling -blow.” | Under the heading “Fight for Supremacy in the Pacific,” the newspaper “Miyako Shimbun” says that IndoChina is only a minor angle in a major struggle which is now developing between America and Japan, in which Britain is apparently participating. The comparatively conservative newspaper “Asahi Shimbun” declares: “It now seems inevitable that a clash will occur between Japan and the United States. We rather welcome the decision of the United States to act in a decisive manner instead of persecuting Japan by slow means.” The Japanese army’s newspaper “Tairiku Shimpu” (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 challenger 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.