GERMANY, JAPAN AND ITALY

Southland Times, Issue 23678, 29 November 1938, Page 7

GERMANY, JAPAN AND ITALY

New Military Pact Predicted CLOSE CO-OPERATION IN WAR ITALIANS REPORTED TO BE SEEKING DELAY I (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received November 28, 7.25 p.m.) LONDON, November 28. After several months of negotiation to transform the Anti-Comintern Pact into a close alliance of great military significance, a German, Italian and Japanese alliance awaits signature, says the News Chronicle.

All three Powers have officially endorsed the text, the main points of which provide that the remaining members will assist diplomatically, politically and economically any one which an outside Power or group of Powers threatens.

All three signatories will consult about measures of assistance by two if one is attacked. No separate peace or armistice will be .concluded if two or three signatories are simultaneously engaged in war. The duration of the alliance is 10 years, and*five years more if it is not then denounced.

Herr Hitler is ready to sign immediately, says the News Chronicle, and the Italian Foreign Minister (Count Galeazzo Ciano) agrees in principle but seeks a few months’ delay if necessary. The recent cultural pacts between Italy and Germany and between Germany and Japan were the prelude to close collaboration in a direct military alliance.

A pact between Japan and Hungary similar in character is to be signed shortly. '