Shaken Axis Partners Renew Pact Pledges

Northern Advocate, 29 September 1943, Page 4

Shaken Axis Partners Renew Pact Pledges

LONDON, Sept. 28

Messages from Ribbentrop, Mussolini and the Japanese Foreign Minis-, ter (Shigemitsu), in which they declared that the Axis remained unbroken and would continue to fight to the end, were broadcast from Berlin radio tonight, on the third anniversary of the Tripartite Pact. Ribbentrop asserted that Mussolini had returned to Italy to help at the first meeting of the Republican Fascist Government. Ribbentrop said that the Germans would not lay down arms until the Bolshevist danger to Europe was finally removed. Italy was a glaring example of what Europe may expect from the British and Americans. “Let whatever hard blows there may be in store for us, come. Our soldiers will fight on.” Mussolini said that the Italian Republican Fascist Party had decided to continue with all strength to fight side by side with their partners. Shigemitsu said: “We are at present counter-attacking and are resolved to continue the battle until final victory. Come what may and whatever treachery the Badogiio regime may have committed, the Axis Pact remains unbroken. Japan is fighting a war solely of self-defence. We see clearly the Anglo-Saxon powers are determined to destroy the Axis powers, who stand in the way of their domination of the world. We at the moment are resisting fierce enemy attacks in the east and west by defending our right to live. We will free East Asia from British and American exploitation.”