TERMS OF PACT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23774, 30 September 1940, Page 7

TERMS OF PACT

ASSISTANCE CLAUSE COMMENT IN TOKIO KUSSIA AND AMERICA By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received September 29, 6.15 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 28 The German radio has confirmed that the triple alliance between Germany, Italy and Japan is a military, political and economic pact. Germany and Italy will recognise Japan's leadership for the creation of a new order "in the great Asiatic lebensraum." The pact came into force on Friday.

The contracting parties agree to undertake and support each other militarily by all means at their disposal in the event of one being attacked by a Power not yet involved either in the war against Britain or in the SinoJapanese war. The agreement alters nothing in the political status existing between each country and the* Soviet. Overtures to Moscow It is authoritatively reported from Tokio that the Japanese aro anxious for a rapprochement with Russia, similar to the Russo-German pact, and are, therefore, making overtures directly and through Germany. The outcome, however, depends on Moscow's attitude; which at present cannot be determined in Tokio. The Japanese Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are not changing our policy toward the United States. We are hot abandoning hope of readjusting relations with the United States." The Japan Times, which is published in English, says: "As one of the immediate effects of the pact is that any hostile action against Japan in the Pacific by the United States or any other Power will be met by joint hostile action by Japan. Italy and Germany, this might give America pause, in particular. The whole treaty might cause the American people to sit back and take stock of the State Department, which has so bungled international affairs that it has made an. enemy of Japan, has involved Britain in new difficulties, has done no good to the United States, and brought war perilously close to the Pacific Ocean."

"Clash with America" The vernacular newspapers in Tokio hail the pact. The Asahi Shimbun says: "Although it does not mean Japan's entry into the European war, it certainly has increased Japan's responsibility in coping with the prevailing world situation. It now seems inevitable that a clash will occur between Japan and the United States. Wo would rather welcome a United States decision to act in a decisive manner instead of persecuting Japan by slow means-" The Nichi Nichi Shimbun says: "Notwithstanding Britain's efforts, the United States' participation in the war remains a big question mark." The Yomiuri Shimbun states: "It is to be doubted if the United States now has the confidence to enter the European war, when she is confronting a now situation both in the Pacific and the Atlantic." United States and China The Japanese ' Army's newspaper at Shanghai, the Tairiku Shimpo, said the, alliance between Japan and the Axis Powers was a factual reply to America's loan to Chungking and the scrap metal embargo. Should any one of the three signatory Powers be challenged the challenger would be dealt with by force. It was added that if the United States further aided China this would be considered a challenge, and the alliance would becomo effective. Under the heading "Fight For Supremacy In the Pacific," the newspaper Mikayo Shimbun says: "Indo-China is only a minor angle to the major struggle now developing between America and Japan, in which Britain is apparently taking part." A defiant throat was launched by the extremist newspaper Kokumin Shimbun in an outburst against Britain and America occasioned by America's loan to China and the embargo on scrap metal. The paper said: "If the British and Americans continue their unprovoked anti-Japanese stand they will get a telling blow."