TRIPARTITE PACT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 October 1940, Page 5

TRIPARTITE PACT

COMMISSIONS TO BE SET UP IN TOKIO AND BERLIN. ASSERTION OF CHINESE RESOLUTION. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) LONDON, October 1. The “Nichi Nichi Shimbun” (Tokio) says that joint technical commissions will be established soon in Tokio and Berlin to implement the tripartite pact. Because of the importance of the commissions, which would be divided into political, military and economic categories, “men of large calibre” wquld be appointed, it says. The Moscow radio quotes the Government organ, “Izvestia,” as saying that Russia will continue in her policy of neutrality. In no circumstances will China recognise Japanese leadership in the establishment of the so-called “Greater Asia,” nor will she ever recognise the validity of the “new order,” declares an official statement issued in Chungking in connection with the tripartite pact. The statement adds: “The pact clearly seeks to invalidate the legitimate rights of third Powers, both in Europe and in Asia—a policy against which China has always striven. The pact can never affect China’s position and her legitimate rights, nor can it ever tend to affect the policy of the China National Government.” A Shanghai message states that police in the French Concession at Tientsin seized the radio equipment and books of the American Radio Service from the custody of the United States marshal who, under protest, handed them to Japanese gendarmes. The Japanese navy has announced that a special review to commemorate the nation’s two thousand six hundredth anniversary is to be held off Yokohama harbour on October 11. SIAM AND INDO-CHINA. Reports of recent incidents on the frontier between Thailand and IndoChina are reaching Singapore. Thai newspapers declare that a French aeroplane flew over Thai territory on Friday and that a Thai aeroplane which chased it to Indo-China was fired on by the French. On Thursday a Siamese was shot dead by a French frontier gendarme. A Japanese news agency message from Hanoi alleges that a Thai aeroplane on Saturday machine-gunned a constabulary post 45 miles inside IndoChina, but there were no casualties. Some of the French soldiers who fought against the Japanese invaders of Indo-China round Dong Dang last week and who have got back to Hanoi say that, besides the 130 French soldiers killed in the clash caused by the entry of Japanese troops where they had no right to be under the Hanoi agreement, there are many prisoners. These, they say, are living out in the open, ill-clothed, and with no food but rice. The' “Yomiuri Shimbun” (Tokio) states that Mr Hajime Matsumiya, the special Ambassador to the South Seas, is proceeding to Indo-China, leaying Tokio on October 11 in order to negotiate an economic treaty with IndoChina. STILL NEUTRAL IN EUROPEAN WAR. JAPANESE SPOKESMAN’S CLAIMS. TOKIO. October 2. “So far as the European war is concerned, Japan remains quite neutral, despite the conclusion of the tripartite pact,” the Foreign Office spokesman declared at today’s Press conference. The spokesman added: “The pact has simplified rather than complicated Japan’s relations with Britain, because it leaves Britain only one course in dealing with Japan, namely, recognition of the new order in this part of the world, while any country against the new order' will be regarded as refusing co-operation with.Japan.’ The spokesman stressed that Japan had never abandoned hopes of a readjustment of relations, with Britain. The Domei news agency’s London correspondent says that after the signing of the three-Power pact Japanese firms and banks in Britain are winding up their businesses in preparation for evacuation. OVERTURE TO SOVIET JAPANESE WILLING TO NEGOTIATE. SOME INTIMIDATORY TALK. (Received This Day, 9 a.m.) ’ TOKIO, October 2. The Foreign Office spokesman, Mr Sums, made no comments on Press reports that Germany and Italy were encouraging a Soviet non-aggression pact with Japan. However, he said that if the Soviet would take the initiative Japan would consider negotiations. He said Mr Tatekawa, as plenipotentiary, was going to Moscow and would be authorised to conduct all negotiations. The “Yomiuri” urges the Government to improve its relations with the Soviet in view of prsopective American diplomatic advance to the Soviet. The “Asahi” and the “Hochi”- advise the Soviet to abandon the policy of assistance to General Chiang Kai-Shek in order to remove an obstacle to a rapproachment with Japan. Mr Tatekawa, it is reported, is leaving for Moscow on October 11. The “Yomiuri” says “if Britain refuses to continue the closure of the Burma route, Japan will not request it, but will resort to her own measures for the removal of all obstacles to Japans mission.” It is said a British refusal is indicated from recent Anglo-American activities, particularly America’s reaction to the tripartite pact. The “Asahi” said world concern was focussed on what counter-mea-sures Britain and the United States would take to cope with the situation arising from the tripartite pact. Britain it is reported, has started negotiations with the Dominions for the prohibition of munitions materials export to Japan. However only tin, rubber and iron ores from Malaya and copper from Canada are affected, for which reason Japan would not feel the pinch. ••Britain apparently knows what a serious situation ! would arise if such an embargo was extended to the Malay Peninsula,” the newspaper adds. "Therefore it is unlikely that Britain will take such a step lightly and recklessly.”