COMMON INTERESTS

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

COMMON INTERESTS

SPEECHES IN BERLIN

RIBBENTROP'S OFFER OTHERS JOINING PACT By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Beceivcd Soptcmbor 21), 7.15 p.m.) LONDON", Sept. 28 The Berlin radio, announcing the Rome - Berlin - Tokio alliance, said Hitler, the Italian Foreign Minister, Ciano, the German Foreign Minister, Ribbentrop, and the Japanese Ambassador to Berlin, Mr. Kurusu, attended the signing. The three lastnamed read the agreement aloud in their respective languages. Ribbentrop declared: "The pact is n military alliance between the three most powerful Powers in the world. Anyone disturbing the world's peace will feel the might of 250,000,000 people. ■ "After Germany and Italy had succeeded in the partial restoration of their rights by peaceful means, warmongers from a Jewish capitalistic democracy forced war on Germany. This Power is now collapsing. "An International Plot" "The struggle we are now waging is not directed against any people specifically, but against the existence of an international plot. The pact proclaims Italian-German-Japanese collaboration. It is the creation of a bloc of common interests. "The pact aims at the reconstruction of peace throughout the world," Ribbentrop continued. "Any country joining the alliance will have a voice in the redistribution of territory after the war." Ciano and Mr. Kurusu, in short speeches, welcomed the alliance, which in semi-official quarters in Berlin, is interpreted to mean that the Axis Powers and Japan have agreed to call a halt to all plans to extend or prolong Jhe war. The three Powers, it is stated, have contributed to world peace and the great cause of establishing a just, permanent and peaceful order. Japan's Portion Broadcasting from Tokio, the Japanese Prime Minister, Prince Konoye, said the new alliance would enable Japan to overcome difficulties in settling the "China incident." Japan was joining hands with Italy and Germany, which wo.uld establish a new order in Europe and must play an important role for the establishment of a lasting peace in the world. He added that the Japanese Government was planning to replenish national defence in order to meet the prevailing international situation. Prince Konoye summoned former Prime Ministers, Mr. Wakatsuki, Mr. Olcada, Mr. Hirota, General Hayashi and Admiral Yonai, to a conference, at which ho is reported to have explained the negotiations for the tripartite pact, and to have asked for their support, "inasmuch as Japan now must most seriously watch the development of the international situation."

NO ENTRY INTO WAR TOKIO STATEMENTS ALLIANCE WITH AXIS QUESTION OF EGYPT RAISED (Received September 29, 7.15 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. '2B The Japanese Foreign Minister, Mr. Matsuoka, and the Foreign Office spokesman, Mr. Suma, both said that the new-alliance with the Axis Powers did not mean Japan's early entrance into the European war. Mr. Matsuoka said: "Japan will not challenge any country. Although we adhere to peaceful means as much as possible there might arise a circumstance where we would have to make important decisions." Mr. Suma said: "We are not going to take part in the European war at this moment. This is a pact to end wars, not to start them." The Japanese Foreign Office announced that the Emperor Hirohito had granted a rescript permitting his signature to the alliance in order that "peace might be restored as soon as possible." The signing of the pact is featured in all the Tokio newspapers, and is treated as an epoch-making event likely to result in a speedy solution of the "China incident." Nevertheless, one point is exercising the minds of many Japanese people, namely, what would happen if Egypt decided to declare war on Italy, and, if she officially became a belligerent, would the joint military action foreseen in the pact come into effect P

BRITISH CHILDREN SHIP ESCAPES BOMBING (Received September 29, 5.5 p.m.) OTTAWA, Sept 28 It is announced that 120 British children arrived safely at an Eastern Canadian port after narrowly escaping a dozen bombs when their ship was leaving England.