JAPAN DISILLUSIONED

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 August 1939, Page 7

JAPAN DISILLUSIONED

ANTI-COMINTERN BETRAYAL PRESS DENOUNCES GERMANY [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] LONDON, August 24. The Soviet-German pact has resulted in violent reactions in the Japanese Press. Germany is denounced for her betrayal ideologically of the principles of the anti-Comin-tern Pact. It is admitted that the signature of'the pact proves that the Anti-Comihterii Pact never was even a spiritual accord. The “Hochi” declares: The vipercatcher (Gerinany) has been stung by the viper. ./a pan’ll great anger and indignation must be borne in silence. The paper “Nichi-Nichi” says: Italy may follow Germany and may advise Japan to trail behind, but the Soviet Government and the Comintern are one and the same, although they are differently named. Who would waste time in quibbling? Let us return to Japan’s policy of autonomy and independence. The “Asahi” says: Japan must start again with a clean sheet. Admiral Kanazawaj f . the Navy spokesman, has refrained from definite comment on the international situation until it has cleared. He said that, speaking personally, he welcomed the Soviet-German Pact, which was causing the nations to realise the futility of reliance on others.

He said that the Japanese objective in Eastern Asia would best be served through independence and selfreliance, which was the Japanese Navy’s unchanged and traditional policy. It did not antagonise other Powers, or prevent their co-opera-tion. SPANISH ATTITUDE. FULL LIBERTY OF ACTION. MADRID, August 24. General Franco considers that the signature of the Russian-German NonAggression Pact ■ involved the annulment of the Anti-Comintern Pact. It is reported that Spain now reassumes to herself full liberty of action in respect of her external policy. The Hend'ay© correspondent of “The Times” says jt is understood that the Spanish Foreign Minister has circularised all Spanish representatives abroad that the Spanish Government proposes to maintain a policy of..neutrality in the event of a European war. ROUMANIAN DEFENCE. BUCHAREST, AugUSL24. An official statement has been issued; that' Rbiimania ..will defend, her national honour ancjkher frontiers, at all costs, whatever changes in the international scene may yet occur. CONDITIONS IN CAPITALS. (Recd. August-25, 1.20 p.m.) , LONDON, August 24. . A survey of (the. capitals shows that London is calm, despite the ominous reports flooding in ..from the Continent. . “The Times’s” Berlin correspondent sdys A tJfat.'l Tritons .are leaving Germany, yet there is general cohsdehce. in Germany, that will he no war. If war does come; the moral shock will be tremendous. The public is completely unprepared for it, and. is unable .tp grasp \aKy"reason why France.and Britain should-fight. The streets are normal, and there are no signs that Germany is on the verge of a world crisis. .. . .

“The Times’s” Budapest correspondent says: All are confident that Hungary will .beCablel to: stand out of a conflict, which will be all the easier , if Roumania-. stands by yesterday’s , neutrality'■ declaration. Hungary, in the event>.Qf\_jyar,(;will close the Polish border,’ but .-Will supply Germany with foodstuffs, and will take normal precautions. “The Times’s” Rome correspondent says: Although Rome appears to be calm, reports from the country show, that normal precautions are being carried out. Motor-lorries have been commandeered, and several ships detained at the ports. In’Paris, complete calm prevails. The street lamps were darkened tonight. Gradual mobilisation is continuing. The Government has ordered the requisitioning of all factories working for national defence. A Belgian Cabinet emergency meet- -, ing decided to take special measures, to assure the supply of provisions. , Soldiers have been recalled from '

leave, and the frontiers are manned. “The Times’s" Warsaw correspondent says that the imminence of war has caused public anxiety, but no excitement. It is understood that the German troops concentrated on the frontiers are not likely to be fully in position for an attack for at least 24 hours. It is estimated that 500,000 men have been called to the colours in Poland. Horses and cars have been requisitioned. .. Several, columns of unarmed reservists in, mufti, and fitted with gas-masks, marched .through Warsaw, singing patriotic songs, and shouting, “Long live a free Poland!” All civil servants have been.ordered to return to duty. ■? ... t; '■ ' The Polish War Office denies that Danzig is surrounded by a\, large Polish force.',:-c CORRESPONDENTS RECALLED LONDON. August 24.' Foreign 'correspondents have been recalled from Germany. The British United Press Berlin representative savs that the British and French Embassies are destroying con-fidentia-L papers. Piles of luggage are . stacked .in the.halls, of the Embassies and Cori's'i’iiatds. : '■ TOURISTS LEAVING CONTINENT. Al. LONDON, August 24. ■The Paris correspondent of the As-, sociated, .Press : sntys.-:. English and ' American .tourists...are flocking from Paris by this morning’s boat, train-.. . The.Ame-lcan Mecblcrranean .Navat* Squadron has A>'akpp.. M on .Tt_i.ll supplic•;s at. Marseilles, and has gone to Villetranche,' to be ready to. take off Ameri- ’ can nationals. ■ • Li/'U. The British Consulate in Berlin,?, under instructions from London, has £ advised Britons, to leave Germany, j

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