AXIS & JAPAN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 March 1941, Page 5

AXIS & JAPAN

MR MATSUOKA LEAVES FOR ROME TALL TALK BY RIBBENTROP. SAYS GERMANY & ITALY HAVE WON WAR. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON. March' 29. A Berlin report says that the Japanese Foreign Minister, Mr Matsuoka. has left for Rome where the Pope will give him an audience on April 2. It is reported that von Ribbentrop did not mention Yugoslavia at Thursday night’s reception to Mr Matsuoka. Von Ribbentrop expressed the view that Mr Matsuoka’s visit would strengthen the Axis ties. “You are visiting us at the most important time in the history of the world, namely, the ’final phase of the battle against England,” he said. “Germany and Italy have already won the war and the world will know it by the end of 1941. “England is now isolated, while Italy and Germany have friendly relations with a large part of the world. England’s alleged allies consist of representatives from European Governments without their peoples. The Axis is united in a common destiny of life and death.” Mr Matsuoka replied by associating himself with von Ribbentrop’s declarations. He described the Axis pact as a peace pact aimed at preventing expansion of the war. He concluded by toasting Hitler “in full confidence, certain of an Halo-German victory.” According to Berlin reports of Mr Matsuoka’s reception, von Ribbentrop said his pleasure in welcoming Mr Matsuoka was all the deeper because he “speaks a language we understand.” This excited amused comment in London, as the conversations between von Ribbentrop and Mr Matsuoka were in English. JAPAN’S POSITION UNLIKELY TO ATTACK SINGAPORE. ACCORDING TO AMERICAN SENATOR. WASHINGTON. March 29. Senator George forecasts that Yugoslavia’s rebuff to Germany would make Japan more than reluctant to attack Singapore. “In view of the events of the last 30 days Japan will not make Italy’s mistake of assuming an early termination of the war favourable to Germany,” he said. , If Japan intended to attack Singapore she would have done so before the British ,garrison was strengthened. He declined to comment on how the United States would react to a Japanese assault on Singapore, but another high official said he believed it might send aid “in a volume not previously contemplated.” Large British reinforcements have arrived in the Far East, the 8.8. C. stated this morning. This announcement was made by Sir Robert BrookePopham, Commander-in-Chief in the Far East. RECALLED TO TOKIO JAPANESE CONSUL-GENERAL IN AUSTRALIA. SYDNEY, March 30. The Japanese Consul-General here, Mr Akiyama, has been notified of his recall to Tokio for a new post, the nature of which is not disclosed. He said: “Wherever I go. I will continue to promote the friendliest relations between Australia and Japan.”