The present difficulties are a continuation of protracted friction between the efforts of the two ambassadors to involve Japan in European questions and the Japanese Government's determination not to become involved outside Asia.
Government officials revealed that the Inner Cabinet decision had upheld the Premier's position that Japan should avoid European entanglements unless the Soviet Union was involved, However, the Government is anxious to continue the Anti-Comintern Pact with Germany and Italy, which explains the Government's laudatory statements in connection with the signing of the new Italo-German alliance Those statements, although vague, declared that the Italian-German alliance was natural because of the geographical propinquity of the two nations involved, thereby implying that Japan was not geographically in ihe same sphere with Italy and Germany and should therefore avoid a similar alliance.
Since the Japanese Army strongly favoured a military alliance with Germany and Italy, there has been speculation here regarding possible retaliation against those who opposed the proposal. The Government, it is learned, expects some dissatisfaction and possibly some intrigue, but does not anticipate serious trouble.—United Press.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.