To Fight Communism

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 26 November 1936, Page 7

To Fight Communism

GERMANY AND JAPAN UNITED AGREEMENT OFFICIALLY REPORTED TO BE OPERATIVE IN FIVE MONTHS OTHER POWERS TO BE INVITED TO JOIN (United! Press Association —by Electric Telegraph Copyright) (Received 26th November, 9.50 a.m.) / BERLIN, 25th November. It is officially stated that Germany and Japan have concluded an agreement against the Communist Inteinational. The agreement, which will be operative in five months, declares that the aim of the Communist International is a 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 to discuss co-operative defensive measures; and secondly, to invite other Powers to join the agreement. An additional protocol pledges the signatories, hrstly, to punish severely Communist operatives, and secondly, to establish a standing commission in order to decide defensive measures. The text of the agreement was announced to a meeting of foreign diplomats at the Wilhelmstrasse, to which the Soviet Ambassador was not invited.

NOT DIRECTED AGAINST SOVIET UNION COMINTERN DRASTICALLY CONDEMNED. MENACING WORLD PEACE TOKIO, 25th November. The Foreign Office issued a statement that the JapaneseGerman 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 Comin-

tern, (the international organisation of the Communist Party) which it says since its establishment has engaged in activities menacing world peace.

It adds that the Comintern last year decided to organise a unified front to oppose Fascism and Imperialism and made it clear that its future objectives were Japan, Germany, and Poland, and also resolved to support Chinese Communist armies against Japan. The statement concludes that Japan desires -to co-operate with as many powers as possible in defensive measures against the Comintern menace, but for that purpose alone.