ALL MAPPED OUT

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

ALL MAPPED OUT

AXIS PARTNERS' AREAS PORTION FOR RUSSIA RELATIONS WITH JAPAN By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Received September 29, 8.30 p.m.) BERLIN, Sept. 28 A German Foreign Office spokesman said Italy, Germany and Japan had already decided the precise "spaces" in Europe, Asia and Africa where the word of each would be law. Areas had also been assigned to Russia, but it was not stated whether Russia had been consulted. It was pointed out that the three Powers would not be monopolistic rulers, but "leaders" in their own areas. The spokesman added that a joint Russo-Japanese announcement of their future relations was expected shortly. Correspondents asked whether Russia's supply of materials to China clashed with the new pact. The spokesman replied: "The transfer of American destroyers to Britain provides a parallel. The decisive point is what effect the supply of material might have." Russia had been assured that the pact coidd not be directed against the Soviet, the Berlin radio said to-day. "Germany assured the Kremlin that the pact would stabilise the relations of the contracting Powers with the Soviet," the announcer said. "The Soviet Government has been gratified to note these assurances.

"Italy and Germany will attend to their spheres of interest, the Soviet to hers, and Japan to all matters in the greater Asiatic area."

APPROACHES MOSCOW JAPAN'S BID FOR PACT STALIN'S HARSH TERMS CANCELLING OF CONCESSIONS NEW YORK, Sept. 28 Authoritative Tokio reports say that, following the signature of the pact with the Axis partners. Japan is making overtures to the Soviet. Japan would like a non-aggression pact similar to that which Germany signed at Moscow in August, 1939, the reports state.

Mr. Hallett Abend, New York Times correspondent at Shanghai, writes: — "The immediate future of the Far East situation depends largely upon the degree of understanding which Germany is able to arrange between Japan and Russia. "Stalin's demands are said to be extremely harsh from Japan's viewpoint.

"Stalin wishes to abrogate the Portsmouth Treaty (which ended the RussoJapanese war in 1905).

"He also demands the cancellation of all oil, coal, and other concessions to Japan in the northern (Russian) half of Sakhalin Island, with the complete demilitarisation of the southern (Japanese) half.

"Another demand is for the demolition of fortifications on the frontiers of Korea and Manchukuo, adjoining Siberia and Outer Mongolia."

Russian circles in London are noncommittal about the alliance. One wellinformed Russian said: "The pact is bound to increase the activities of China's friends. We may expect to see increased aid going to China." Washington observers believe that Russia is not pleased about being caught between the pincers of the new German-Japanese alliance move. Many are of the opinion that the ultimate and most important result might be the encirclement of Russia, leading the Soviet seriously and promptly to consider closer association with Britain and the United States.

SOVIET AID ASSURED CONFIDENCE IN CHINA (Received September 20, 5.5 p.m.) CHUNGKING, Sept. 28 Chinese Government officials said that in spite of the three-Power alliance, China was assured of continued Russian aid against Japan. Regardless of consequences, China was determined to continue the war. DAKAR CASUALTIES REPORT FROM VICHY DAMAGE TO BATTLESHIPS (Received September 29, 0.50 p.m.) LONDON. Sgpt. 28 Reports from Vichy state that French casualties at Dakar were 203 killed and 393 wounded. Dakar is now normal. The French state that the Richelieu's forward guns directly hit H.M.S. Barbara's steeringgear, while a torpedo hit H.M.S. Resolution forward of the bridge.