NTIMATIONS that the Rome-Berlin Axis alliance with Japan will shortly be followed by a s milar alliance with Spain was considered here last night as another indication that Germany now realize that the present war will be a long one, that the Blitzkrieg against the British Isles has been frustrated, and that Chancellor Adolf Hitler requires additional active allies.
Briti:
h quarters, commenting on Japan's joining the Rome-
Berlin Ax is, said last night that the main importance of such action to Berlin would be its propaganda value.
"But it would appear," one British official said, "that Japan has rushed into an alignment which can bring her no succour while embarrassing her with undertakings which she will have to carry out alone."
ritish circles in general characterized the new alliance as a "blatant attempt to intimidate the United States."
"Russia will no doubt be interested to learn that nothing in the agreement alters the status now existing between herself and each of the three contracting parties," the paper said.
"But she will hardly omit to note that the pact was effectively contrived to put her in cold storage."
"Empty Threat
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.