German-Jap. Economic Pact To Offset U.S. Action

Northern Advocate, 31 July 1939, Page 7

German-Jap . Economic Pact To Offset U.S. Action

(Received 1 p.m.) LONDON, July 28. Germans' and Japan initialled an economic agreement, increasing mutual trade. The terms have not been disclosed. A Rome message states that a Japanese mission, headed by Mr. Terauchi and Admiral Osumi, is discussing (with Signor Mussolini the possible adherence of the Japanese to the Axis. The mission will visit the Nuremburg Congress, after which it proceeds to Berlin and Rome for political and military discussion. Herr Hitler unexpectedly returned to Berlin from Beyruth to discuss with Herr von Ribbentrop routine matters that have accumulated during his holiday. The Berlin correspondent of “The

Times” says the German-Japanese trade treaty is expected largely to compensate for the loss of trade after the termination of the American treaty. The Germans hope that this demonstration of the solidity of the Anti-Comintern Pact will offset the American action, which is considered not to be due to domestic policies, and unjustified by the existing American and Japanese relations, but intended to demonstrate the solidarity of the democracies.

The press, despite British and American disclaimers, declares that America, by previous agreement, has taken up the cudgels when Britain, for strategical reasons, has laid them down.

The German-Japanese treaty will operate as from October 1. It aims at extending trade partly by means of German credits to Japan.