TALK OF TRIPLE ALLIANCE

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 229, 24 June 1941, Page 7

TALK OF TRIPLE ALLIANCE

Russia, Britain And United States TOKIO’S ATTITUDE Likely To Be At Least Passive At Present (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) LONDON, June 22. The Moscow radio announced that an alliance between Russia, Britain, and the United States is now under consideration. Well-informed authorities believe that Tokio had advance notification of the impending RussoGerman hostilities, whereupon she refrained from precipitating a crisis in the Netherlands East Indies. It is expected that Japan will silently and watchfully await events during the next few weeks of warfare. The British Ambassador to Washington, Lord Halifax, called on the Assistant Secretary of State, Mr. Welles, and the meeting lasted two hours. State Department officials have branded Germany as an aggressor, thus arousing speculation as to possible American aid —under the Lend or Lease Act or otherwise—to Russia. Diplimats in Washington envisage close economic co-operation between England, America, and Russia. The Government so far has withheld any formal statement as to its views, but officials described the German action as most convincing proof that Hitler aims at the domination of the world. Hitler Desperate? Germany’s move against Russia is viewed in Washington as being .JIT meudouslv in favour of the British cause, for the following reasons:—lt creates a second war front for Germany against a major foe; in the second place, Hitler’s obvious desperation in the matter of food supplies proves the effectiveness of the British blockade; thirdly, it isolates Japan; and. fourthly, it further delays the attempt to invade Britain. While none of the best American military observers expect anything but early successes for the Germans, it is certain that Stalin must have bod confidence in being aide to withstand attack, or he would not have rejected the German demands. Hitler’s decision to fight Russia, it is thought, is capped by the belief that America will soon enter the war, hence his haste to acquire self-sufficiency. The former United States Ambassador to Russia, Mr. Joseph Davies, says that Russia will not be an easy conquest, and that the world will be surprised by the character of the Russian military resistance. Japanese Cabinet Meets. Reports from Tokio say that the Japanese Cabinet met for two hours. So far no details of the meeting have been received, but the Dome! _ news agency says that the Foreign Minister, Mr. Matsuoka, today called on the Emperor, and also on the Prime Minister, Priuce Konoye. The outbreak of hostilities oetween Germanv and the Soviet is seen by the Japanese “Asahi Shimbun’’ as another indication that the European war is gradually shifting from the blitzkrieg tactics to a war of longer duration. In the early days of the war, the newspaper comments, it seemed to be definitely Hitler’s wish to follow. Bismarck’s tactics and avoid a war bn two fronts. In view of this, the Invasion of the territory of the U S.S.R. indicates a decision of the utmost gravity on the part of Hitler. In any case, it adds, it cannot be denied that, irrespective of whatever treaty commitment may be involved, the international situation confronting Japan will take a graver turn as a result of the hostilities between Germany and Russia. Russian officials, discussing the Japanese reactions, point out that Russo-Japanese relations are governed by the neutrality pact. In European Capitals.

An official spokesman iu Stockholm said that Sweden does not intend to participate in war against Russia, and will do her utmost to maintain her neutrality. However, weekend leave has be-en cancelled tor the armed forces, and a meeting of Cabinet has been summoned. Slovakia has broken, off diplomatic relations with Russia. The President, Dr. Pavelich, declared that Croatia will carry out her obligations under the Tripartite Pack Hungary has ordered air-raid precautions throughout the country Fascists in Rome wholeheartedly back the German invasion of Russia, an'd forecast that it will result in Spain, and later Portugal, joining the Axis.

There is widespread approval of the invasion in Madrid, but an equallyimportant reaction is a sense of relief, as it is thought that the z move will tend to keep the war at the other end of Europe. Officials at Vichy greeted the invasion jubilantly, as “the beginning of the last phase of the European crusade for the unification of the Continent.’’ Turkey Declares Neutrality. (Received June 23, 10.40 p.m.) LONDON, June 22. An official communique in Ankara states: “In view of the situation that has been created by the war between Germany and Russia, the Government of the Turkish Republic has decided to proclaim the neutrality of Turkey.” Tokio reports that the Japanese Press has refrained from speculating as to whether Japan will observe her treaty obligations. However, they expect that Japan will follow the independent policy that is intended to achieve her major objective, of a “new order” in East Asia. The newspapers maintain an impartial attitude. German sources say that Germany will not a.sk Japan for anything iu connexion with the hostilities in Russia. Authoritative Japanese circles expect that the Soviet Union will send a Note to the Foreign Office asking Japan to observe strict neutrality. 'Speculation regarding the future of Japanese policy is forbidden.