NOT DESIRED?

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 32, 8 February 1939, Page 11

NOT DESIRED?

MILITARY ALLIANCE. Japan Unwilling To Expand Anti-Red Pact. FRIENDSHIP WITH BRITAIN. United Press Association. —Copyright. (Received 2 p.m.) LONDON, February 7. "The Times" Tokyo correspondent says Japan is unlikely to welcome proposals for expanding the antiComintern Pact into a military alliance. When the pact was concluded it was declared that Japan had no intention of being involved in Europe's ideological quarrels. This intention has not been lessened by events, like the Italian colonial claims, which tend to a sharp confrontation of signatories of the anti-Comin-tern pact and democracies. An agreement enabling adherents to support each other when necessary or opportune suits Japan better than an alliance, which would attach her to the chariot wheels o£ her ideological allies. Hope of restoring good relations with Britain and America have not been abandoned. Influential circles oppose an irrevocable closing of the door to this, as it is realised an alliance with totalitarian States is poor compensation for naval Powers' hostility. Possibly the initiative for strengthenin.' the anti-Comintern Pact came from Europe, but Prince Konoye, in a speech before his resignation, and Mr. Arita, Foreign Minister, on January 21, favoured strengthening.