IMPATIENCE TABOO

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 43, 20 February 1941, Page 5

IMPATIENCE TABOO

DEALINGS WITH SOVIET SLOW-TEMPERED STATE APPROACH BY JAPAN. TOKIO, Feb. 14. Replying in the Diet to suggestions by members for the conclusion of a non-aggression pact with Russia in view of Japan's inability to obtain German or Italian help in the event of a Russo-Japanese war, the Foreign Minister, Mr. Matsuoka. said: “We are doing everything possible to adjust Russo-Japanese relations. The Soviet is slow tempered, consequently it is taboo for us to become impatient In dealing with it.” Mr. Matsuoka promisd a revision of Article Five of the Rome-Berlin-Tokio pact, "if there is danger of our relations with the Soviet being overtaken by the worst eventuality.” He said that misgivings regarding the blocking of German or Italian aid to Japan in the event of a RussoJapanese war could be understood, but Article Five, when it was formulated, envisaged the adjustment of all difficulties between Russia and Japan. The Minister added that the atmosphere was favourable for an adjustment of relations “because the Soviet seems to have recognised that japan’s true intentions are to settle differences in earnest." “Russia." he said, “has also taken the attitude of accelerating the conclusion of the commercial pact, which was hopeless last year." Article Five of the tripartite pact states: "Germany, Italy and Japan affirm that the terms of the pact do not in any way affect the political status which exists at present (September 27, 1940) as between each of the three contracting parties and Soviet Russia.”