Anti-Soviel Bloc

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 273, 18 November 1936, Page 5

Anti-Soviel Bloc

Germany-Japan-Italy BRITAIN REFUSES TO JOIN United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Tuesday, Midnight LONDON, Nov. 17. The Times’ Shanghai correspondent says according to advices from Tokio the reported GermanJapanese agreement is less than a formal alliance but more than a mere declaration against Communism of which the following is a forecast: — The purely defensive character of the agreement will be emphasised. The purpose of the agreement is to unite the anti-Commun-ist Powers against the spread of Soviet influences. It will probably provide for technical collaboration between the German and Japanese armies, also for German assistance towards Japanese rearmament. The agreement is not directed against China. On the contrary the Japanese policy is to secure China’s adhesion. Italy, it is added, will probably adhere to the agreement either directly or through an agreement with Germany. The Japanese, it is said, originally hoped to include Britain in the anti-Soviet front, but Britain refused to join in any project dividing the world into Fascist and Communist blocs.