ANTI-SOVIET BLOC FORMING

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20586, 27 November 1936, Page 9

ANTI-SOVIET BLOC FORMING

JAPO - GERMAN AGREEMENT DESIGNED TO CURB COMMUNISM RETICENCE IN EUROPEAN CAPITALS United Press Association—By Klectrlo Telegraph —Copyright (Received November 26, 6,30 p.m.) BERLIN, November 25. It is officially stated that Germany and Japan have concluded an agreement against the Communist International. The agreement will operate for five years. The agreement, which will be operative in five months, declares that the aim of the Communist International Is the violation of all existing states by every means, also that Communism threatens world peace. The signatories agree to the following conditions: (1) To Inform each other of all Communist activities and to discuss co-operative defensive measures. (2) To invite other Powers to join in the agreement. Treaty Fledges An additional protocol pledges the signatories as follows: (1) To punish severely all Communist operatives. (2) To establish a standing commission in order to decide on defensive measures.

The text of the agreement was announced to a meeting of foreign diplomats at the Wilhelmstrasse, to which the Soviet Ambassador was not invited. Welcomed in Germany Referring to the agreement, one German’s comment was: "Now we shall get some rice.” Dr. Goebbel’s broadcasting explanation said that Germany had built an unscaleable wall against the Reds. Nazism, which had suffered 400 dead and many thousands wounded, at the hands of Bolshevists, knew, Bolshevism and hoped Bolshevism knew her. The events in Spain, which were a bloody example and a terrible proof, showed how right Germany had been to keep this danger at a distance. Japan and Germany have now placed themselves in the defensive against the devilish attempts of the Comintern to embroil the world.

RETICENCE IN BRITAIN LIKELY EUROPEAN REACTIONS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received November 26, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 25. The British Government maintains Its silence about the Japanese-German agreement signed in Berlin in the presence of photographers and news reel photographers, but it is certain Britain does not intend to join in it. Russia also at present is silent and may take refuge in the fact that the agreement does not specify the Soviet but the Comintern, for which the Soviet Government always declares it is not responsible. France resents the agreement, which Italy blesses without formal adherence. There is no indication that any Power will respond to the invitation contained in the agreement to join the signatories. Home and Foreign Views “The Times" expresses opinion that it is more than probable that the agreement 1s not the whole story, and behind its unimpeachable doctrinaire facade, exists some form of military alliance. The paper says that however despicable the activities of the Comintern may be, the formation of an anti-communist Bloc is both regrettable and unnecessary and Britain will certainly preserve her detachment.

The Rome correspondent of “The Times” says: “Authoritative opinion does not expect Italy formally to join the agreement. It is considered that an understanding was reached during Count Clano's visit to Berlin and this required no amplification, while as regards Japan, the paucity of Italian Interests in the Pacific, makes it unnecessary to emphasise her known views towards the Communist menace. The Paris correspondent of “The Times” says: “It is believed that Germany may be counting the adhesion of Italy, Austria, Hungary, Portugal and once again French apprehensions find relief in the firmness with which British opinion refuses to be drawn into active partnership with one form of dictatorship against another. The vast majority of Frenchmen look to Britain more than ever, as the one great stable stabilising force in Europe. The Toklo correspondent of “The Times” says: “Whenever Russia’s political alms conflict with Japan’s and Germany’s, Moscow must henceforth reckon on two opponents. The agreement is a warning to Russia that interference with Japan in the Far East will bring truoble with Germany.” “MINDING HER OWN BUSINESS” AMERICA’S PROBABLE ATTITUDE United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received November 26, 6.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, November 25. There is the utmost reticence in official circles regarding the GermanJapanese agreement. It is stated that this offers an excellent opportunity for the United State: to adhere to Senator Hull’s policy of not intruding into other nations’ affairs. DEFENCE AGAINST REDS GERMAN AMBASSADOR’S CLAIM On!ted Press Association—By Electric Telegraph —Copyright (Received November 27, 12.35 a.m.) BERLIN, November 26. Herr von Ribbentrop signed the agreement with Japan and afterwards described it as an epoch-making event.

“It is the turning point in the defensive struggle of all nations loving order and civilisation against the forces of subversion,” said Herr von Ribbentrop. “Japan will never permit the spread of Bolshevism in Eastern Asia. Germany is the bulwark against this pest in the heart of Europe, and Italy will hold high the anti-Bolshevist banner in the south.”

Count Mushakoji, the Japanese Ambassador who signed for Japan, said Germany and Japan felt themselves most strongly threatened by the Comintern’s subversive activities. By this agreement the Japanese empire and the new Germany contributed their share to the pacification of the world.

STRONGEST DISAPPROVAL AGREEMENT CRITICISED IN BRITAIN United Press Association—By Electric Tel egraph—Copyright (Received November 27, 12.35 a.m.) LONDON, November 26. The diplomatic correspondent of the “Morning Post” says that the British Government will emphatically reject the invitation extended in the German and Japanese agreement to join in a crusade against Communism. The British Government regards this aspect of the agreement with the strongest disapproval as it is calculated further to aggravate the international situation.

ARE THERE SECRET CLAUSES? FRENCH PRESS OBSERVATIONS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph- Copyright (Received November 27, 1.28 a.m.) PARIS, November 26. A section of the press persists in the assumption that there are secret clauses in the Japo-German agreement.

“L’Oeuvre” suggests that Whitehall is concerned because the protocol allows Germany and Japan to share zones of influence in the Dutch East Indies. This directly affects Singapore, economically, if not otherwise.

NOT DIRECTED AGAINST SOVIET OFFICIAL JAPANESE VIEWS United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph—Copyright TOKIO, November 25. The Foreign Office has issued a statement that the Japanese-German agreement is not directed against the Soviet Union. It denies that there is any other agreement behind it, or that the Japanese Government intends forming or joining any international bloc, but drastically condemns the Comintern, which, it si-ys, since its establishment has engaged in activities menacing world peace. The Soviet Comintern last year decided to c .ganise a united front to oppose Fascism and Imperialism, and made it clear that its future objectives were Japan, Germany and Poland. It was also resolved to support the Chin-

ese Communist armies against Japan. The statement concludes that Japan desires to co-operate with as many Powers as possible in defensive measures against the Comintern menace, but for that purpose alone.