NEW AXIS PARTNER

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21818, 22 November 1940, Page 5

NEW AXIS PARTNER

Hungary Joins Pact Firm Attitude Of Turkey By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright LONDON, November 20. Hungary has joined the pact between the Axis and Japan. This latest diplomatic move inspired by Hitler was taken at Vienna, where the Fulirer met the Hungarian Prime Minister (Count Teleki) and Foreign Minister (Count Csaky), in company with his own Foreign Minister (von Ribbentrop), the Italian Foreign Minister (Count Ciano) and the Japanese Ambassador to Germany (Mr Saburo Kurusu). The Berlin radio stated that von Ribbentrop, Count Ciano, Mr Kurusu and Count Csaky signed the protocol by which Hungary joins the tripartite pact. The spokesman at the Japanese Foreign Office, in a statement welcoming Hungary’s participation in the tripartite pact, said: “Hungary is the first country to join the tripartite pact. Her participation paves the way for other countries to share in ‘he common purpose and ideal with Japan, Italy and Germany. It will unquestionably contribute toward the attainment of the tripartite pact’s fundamental object, also the strengthening of the respective positions of Japan, Italy and Germany in Greater East Asia and Europe.” The new signature to the pact is generally regarded as a gesture of little significance. It had been expected that such a step would be taken, and a Reuter message from Budapest describes the accession as a mere formality. Hint of Further Partners German newspapers report that the reorganisation of south-eastern Europe is being completed at Vienna. Bulgarian papers are campaigning for an outlet to the Aegean. The Hungarian newspaper “Magyarorsag,” which is Count Telekl’s mouth-piece, says that the recent axis talks have all been for the same purpose—to decide what military action the powers joining the Axis must take if Italy and Germany consider such action necessary. It is officially announced In Budapest that Hungary has suspended payment of foreign debt. Von Ribbentrop, in a speech at Hitler’s lunch to diplomats at Vienna, said that other Powers will follow Hungary’s lead and join the tripartite pact. It is the unalterable determin'’ I’—’ 1 ’—’ of the signatories to make a world-wide union of all young Powers which are genuinely prepared for sacrifices and desire a just peace. Count Csaky in his speech emphasised that the pact was directed against nobody. All wanting to collaborate could join the pact. Authoritative circles at Ankara state that Turkey will refuse any German request for her approval of the movement of troops through Bulgaria under a guarantee that Turkey would in no way be involved. Political circles declare that Turkey has taken her decision, made dispositions and will march if Bulgaria attacks Greece. A Bulgarian War Ministry communique stated that Turkish soldiers who were captured after losing their way on the Bulgo-Turkish frontier have been returned to Turkey as a sign that Bulgaria is well-disposed to Turkey. In Istanbul, the British Ambassador (Sir Hughe Knatchbull-Hugessen) conferred with the Foreign Minister. Addressing Parliamentarians, the Foreign Minister forecast further tightening of the national protection of law. The newspaper “Yenisaba” said that Germany will be badly mistaken if she expects Turkey to accept the Axis idea of a new European order. Regarded as Unimportant A British Official Wireless message states that the adhesion of Hungary to the Axis Three Power Pact caused little surprise in London and is regarded as an entirely unimportant development in view of the effective control already exercised by Germany over Hungary’s policy. Hungary’s adherence to the pact does not appear in any way to strengthen Germany’s military position or weaken that of Britain. To record such a meagre result of the elaborate machinery of the Vienna conference seems scarcely to have been justified, but the world has become accustomed in recent weeks to a new style of diplomacy which takes the head of the German State on feverish journeys about Europe. In Vienna to-day the occasion of welcoming the new Axis Power was taken for holding a reception at which Hitler attended. Von Ribbentrop received Count Teleki, Count Csaky, Count Ciano, and Mr Kuruzu. In welcoming Hungary, which has the dubious distinction of being the first state to enter the pact, Von Ribbentrop is reported to have expressed the conviction that the “German army and this Government will make peace possible in the not distant future.” The aims of the pact as pronounced in the communique are in the familiar vague high sounding phrases. These include “the restoration of a just world order and the establishment of that order for a long period.” Everything thus goes to show that Germany sets great store by the propaganda value of her new diplomatic move, designed as it no doubt is to serve as a step towards staging a theatrical spectacle in which enslaved, exploited Europe will be portrayed to itself and the world as the new Utopia—if only Britain will leave it alone.