Japan and the Axis

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 81, 2 October 1940, Page 9

Japan and the Axis

RUSSIA'S NEUTRALITY

Hitler and His Threats

LONDON, October 1

American newspapers continue to make vigorous comment on the Japanese link-up with the Axis and the consequent challenge to the United States.

The "New York Times" says bluntly that Hitler is back at his old game of threats, and thinks that the reason for the alliance is that German strength alone has proved not enough to beat Great Britain, and Hitler is working to prevent a long Avar. It may also be that Germany is feeling the strain of the war to a perhaps uncomfortable and dangerous degree.

For instance, there is ihe fact that children are to be sent out of Berlin, and Germans from the Ruhr and other industrial districts are flocking

into France, Belgium, and Holland in search of shelter and safety. President Roosevelt has put further restrictions on the export from the United States of materials of war. He has ordered that from October 15 export licences will he necessary for the export of military equipment of optical types, such as searchlights, aerial cameras, and fire control instruments.

The "Straits Times" (Singapore) sees in the efforts of the Nazi propagandists something reminiscent of the old-time circus clowns, and claims that the possibility of Anglo-American collaboration in the Pacific has caused something like panic in Tokio.

The Moscow radio quotes the "Izvestia" as saying that Russia will continue in her policy of neutrality.

Italian political circles are.busy telling everyone that the pact is not directed against either Russia or the United States, and the Japanese Con-sul-General in Sydney stated today, "We have not ths slightest intention of offering any provocation to Britain, the United States, Russia, or Australia."