JAPAN & THE AXIS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 October 1940, Page 5

JAPAN & THE AXIS

IMPLICATIONS OF THE NEW PACT CONJECTURE AND DISCUSSION IN LONDON. QUESTION OF THE BURMA ROAD. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 30. The terms of lhe German--11 alian-Japanese pact have not yet been officially communicated to London, but lull. Press reports of the new development are under examination in London and there is naturally considerable speculation in the newspapers as to the reaction in various quarters. It is assumed that an early opportunity will be sought by the British Ambassador in Moscow for a discussion of the whole situation with the Government of the Soviet Union, and a hope is expressed by some correspondents that an understanding on the other outstanding problems consequent on the inclusion of the Baltic States within the Soviet Union may result. There is general agreement that among the subjects under discussion in London is that of the Burma Road. Under the- Anglo-Japanese agreement the British closure of the road ends on October 17, and newspapers here declare that the American view inclines to the belief that an immediate reopening of the road is imperative. The Press opinion is interesting. The “Daily Telegraph,” examining world reactions to the pact, says: “Germany, Italy and Japan cannot agree in their public explanation of their exhumation cf the anti-Comintern pact. In Berlin this is the grandest alliance of the ages, and hopes are expressed ■in a minor key 'that it may keep the United States .out of the war. The Japanese Foreign Minister does not intend to challenge any Power without, provocation.

“Neutral observers in Europe are asking whether the pact was produced to soothe a frustrated German anticipation of some substantial success. Another motive, however, is betrayed in Berlin, and openly admitted in Rome —that it had become necessary to frighten the United States. “There has been a surge of resentment in America. Far from restricting the dispatch of armaments to this country, the pact is giving a fresh stimulus to the policy of rendering all material support and assistance.

“Japan may thank Germany for leaving her to a crisis in her relations with the United States, and neither the American people nor their Government will be content to meet further Japanese aggression with words. “The Nazi pact of 250,000,000 people will go down beneath the strength of nations far superior in manpower and even mere formidable in command of world resources in industrial energy.” NAZIS & SOVIET BERLIN SUGGESTS EXCHANGE OF IDEAS. (By Tc-legraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON. September 30. Official circles in Berlin have been saying today that the Axis pact with Japan has created a situation which makes necessary fresh conversations with Russia. The Nazis are hinting that either Herr von Ribbentrop will be going to Moscow or M Molotov will be going to Berlin. There is no word of any such visit by M Molotov.

PACIFIC BASES AMERICAN SENATOR’S PROPOSAL. LEASE OR PURCHASE OF BRITISH POSSESSIONS. WASHINGTON, September 30. Senator King has introduced a Bill authorising the President to begin negotiations immediately to acquire by lease or purchase British possessions in the Pacific Ocean or bordering on it. In return the President would be authorised to extend loans and credits to Empire countries. Senator King pointed out that the acquisition of bases in the Pacific was intended to retaliate against Japan and strengthen the United States’ position against any further expansion. The Senator praised the British resistance and said that the struggle was to preserve all democracy. ANGER IN AMERICA OVER ATTEMPT TO HOLD UP AID TO BRITAIN. “THREAT FROM BLACKMAILERS.” LONDON, September 30. The new alliance is reported to have been discussed today by the United States Secretary of State, Mr Cordell Hull, and the British Ambassador, Lord Lothian. An agency report says that when Mr Hull was asked whether the United States would welcome the reopening of the Burma Road if Britain did so next month, he replied that there had been no change of policy since he expressed the Government’s opposition to the closing of the road in July. The New York papers continue to regard the pact as an attempt to hold up American help to Britain. The “New York Times” says that the method chosen is to frighten the. United States with the threat of war in the Pacific and the Atlantic at the same time. It says that the attempt is bound to fail because the American people see clearly the importance of a British victory for the sake of all they hold dear. The New York “Herald-Tribune calls the treaty an order issued to the United States to allow Hitler and his satellites to destroy Great Britain and redistribute the world without hindrance. “This,” it says, is a threat from blackmailers who have no means of making it good.”