BRITAIN SILENT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 281, 27 November 1936, Page 7

BRITAIN SILENT

BUT WILL BE NEUTRAL THAT FACT COMFORTS FRANCE ATTITUDES OF THE POWERS [By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright] Received Nov. 26, 8 p.m. LONDON, Nov. 25. The British Government maintains . silence about the Japanese-German agreement which was signed in Berlin in the presence of photographers ■ and news reel photographers, but it is certain that it does not intend to join ( in it. Russia also, at present, is silent and may take refuge in the fact that i 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 adher- . ence. There is no indication that any Power will respond to the invitation . contained in the agreement to join the signatories. The Times’ Rome correspondent . says that authoritative opinion does , not expect Italy formally to join the ' agreement. It is considered that the . understanding which was reached dur- . ing Count Ciano’s visit to Berlin re- . quired no amplification while, as re- . gards Japan, the paucity of Italian interests in the Pacific makes it un- , necessary again to emphasise its ’ known views towards the Communist ( menace. The Times’ Paris correspondent ' says that it is belieevd that Germany may be counting on the adhesion of Italy, Austria, Hungary, , Portugal and General Franco’s Government in Spain, but once again French apprehensions find relief in the firmness with which British opinion refuses to he drawn into an 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 Times’ Tokio correspondent says that wherever Russia's political aims 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 trouble with Germany. AMERICA RETICENT USUAL “HANDS-OFF POLIC Y." Received Nov. 26, 7.38 p.m. WASHINGTON, Nov. 26. The utmost reticence prevails in official circles regarding the GermanJapanese agreement. It is stated that it is an excellent opportunity for the United States to adhere to Mr. Cordell Hull's policy of not intruding in other nations’ affairs. BRITAIN’S DISAPPROVAL AGGRAVATION FEARED Received Nov. 27, 12.45 a.m. LONDON, Nov. 26. The Morning Post’s diplomatic correspondent states that the British Government will emphatically reject an invitation extended in the GermanJapanese 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 to further aggravate the international situation.