THE AXIS AND JAPAN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23773, 28 September 1940, Page 10

THE AXIS AND JAPAN

The announcement from Berlin that Germany, Italy and Japan have signed a 10-vear military, political and economic pact seems to confirm recent reports that some such association was imminent. If the news should prove to be correct, its implications will call for the most serious examination. Japan's alliance with Britain's enemies docs not put Japan at war with Britain, although it must increase the risk of such a development. lt s is suggested, in fact, that the pact provides against Japan's entrance into the European war. In this connection, it will be recalled that, although Germany and Italy signed an offensive and defensive alliance in May of last year, Italy abstained from entering the war until it had been in progress for nine months. Furthermore the United States did not commit herself to war when, on the 18th of last month, she concluded a defensive alliance with Canada, one of the belligerents. It will be prudent, therefore, to await a definition of the British interpretation of and attitude to the new pact. Just as interesting and important will be the reactions of the United States, and Russia, the two Great Power neutrals. Washington has not been sparing of her condemnation of the actions of all three in the new partnership, nor of her sympathy and material support of the British cause. She cannot regard the new arrangement with equanimity from whatever angle she views it. As for Russia, she sees the original three parties to the Anti-Comintern Pact reunited in even firmer association and herself with long frontiers facing two of them. It follows that, if Berlin's news is confirmed, important diplomatic developments may be expected to emerge in the next few days.