Rome, Nov. 6.
The tripartite anti-Communist pact between Italy. Germany and Japan was signed at 10.57 this morning at the Palazzo Venezia. with Italy adhering as an original -stgnatory.
The Italian Government is believed to have intimated to the Chinese Government. on the eve of the signature that it is not supporting Japan in the present conflict and that it is officially entirely neutral Although the Italian press has expressed sympathy with the Japanese. arguing that the Japanese are fighting Communism. it is claimed that Italy desires to be friendly with both sides.
The anti-Communist agreement was signed at 11 o'clock this morning at the Palazzo Venezia, the residence of Signor Mussolini. Herr Joachim von Ribbentrop, German Ambassador to Great Britain, previously arrived here to represent Germany. Il Duce was not present Count Ciano, Italian Foreign Minister, signed for Italy. while Mr, Masaaki Hotta, the Japanese Ambassador in Rome. represented Japan.
An official communique announcing the German statesman's arrival described him as the special envoy of the Fuehrer The pact, it is emphasized in Berlin. is directed solely against Communist activity abroad. The Sino-Japanese conflict is entirely omitted from all reference in the new agreement.
The preamble of the protocol declares that the signatories consider that the Communist International continues constantly to endanger the lized world in the East and West, and to disturb and destroy peace and order. They are therefore convinced that only close collaboration between all states interested in the maintenance of peace and order can limit and remove this danger.
Reference is also made to the Fascist regime's elimination of the Communist International from Italy and her decision to range and defend herself against the common enemy The anti-Comintern pact binds together 200.000000 people and nearly 2,000,000 tons of warships, writes Signer Gayda in the "Giornale Italia" The armed forces of the three Powers. he states, give concrete warning and significance to the political act concluded to-dav.
To the 200,000,000 people thus linked together, he adds, must be added tens of millions of friends and associates in Europe and Asia who have a solid unity in internal affairs and a determined will in international affairs and can put together another 2,000,000 tons of warships. This figure is rapidly rising, he concludes.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.