GERMAN-JAPAN PACT

Kaikoura Star, Volume LVI, Issue 94, 30 November 1936, Page 3

GERMAN-JAPAN PACT

GROWING RUSSO-GERMAN TENSION THREAT OF DIPLOMATIC’ RUPTURE LONDON, November 25. A Berlin communique states: It is officially stated that Germany and Japan have concluded an agreement against the Communist International. The agreement will, be operative in live months. It declares: “The aim of the Communist International is the violation of all existing States by every means,” also that Communism threatens world peace. The signatories agree, firstly, to inform each other of all Communist ' activities and discuss co-operative dei tensive measures; secondly, to invite I other Powers to join the agreement. ! An additional protocol pledges the sig- | natories, firstly, to punish severely ! Communist operatives; secondly, to esi tablish a standing Commission in order ‘ to decide defensive measures. The text of the agreement was ani nounced to a meeting of foreign dipi lomats at the Wilhelmstrasse, to which ' the Soviet Ambassador was not inj vited. ' A Tokio message states that the ! Japanese Foreign Office issued a statement that the Japanese-German agreement is not directed against the Soviet Union, and denies that any other agreement is behind it, or that the Japanese Government intends forming or joining any international bloc; but drastically condemns the Comintern, which, it savs, since its establishment has been engaged* in activities menacing world I peace. It adds that the Comintern last I year decided to organise a unified front Io oppose Fascism and Imperialism, and ! made it clear that its future objectives I were Japan, Germany, and Poland. 11 i also resolved to support the Chinese | Communist armies against Japan. The I statement concludes that Japan desires to co-operate with as many Powers as ! possible in defensive measures against j i Comintern menace, but for that pur--1 pose alone.