SIGNING ANNOUNCED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23773, 28 September 1940, Page 11

SIGNING ANNOUNCED

MILITARY, POLITICAL, ECONOMIC MUTUAL AIMS RECOGNISED AID AGAINST NEW PARTICIPANT IN WARS By Telegraph—Press AssociaUon.—Copyright (Received September 27, VL.3O p.m.) LOXDOX, Sept. 27 "The German radio this morning announced that Germany, Italy and Japan had signed a 10-year military, political and economic pact* Japan recognises the leadership of Germany and Italy in Europe, while Germany and Italy recognise Japanese leadership in East Asia. The contracting parties agree to assist each other in the event of one being attacked by a Power not at present involved in the European or the Chinese conflict. Technical commissions to implement the pact are to meet immediately. The pact does not affect the political status at present between the three contracting Powers and the Soviet. Earlier messages said it was authoritatively stated from Tokio that the Emperor of Japan had sanctioned the alliance with Italy and Germany, although the pact would not be signed until it had been ratified by the Privy Council. The ratification was expected daily, due to the fact that the Radicals were clamouring for an early announcement of the terms of the alliance. It: is understood that Hitler s personal representative in Japan, Herr ~sthamer,( has assured the Japanese that the Russo-German pact i:> working well and on these grounds 1e has urged Japan to turn toward Russia. Diplomatic circles in Tokio believe that the present Japanese Government is prepared to defy Great Britain and the United States, owing to promises of German support.