Melbourne, Oct. 1.
Japan's pact with the Axis has aroused apprehension throughout Australia and the Minister of External Affairs, Mr. John McEwen, last night said ti la must str herself to jove the maximum possible war efforts so that she could meet confidently any eventuality.
He added that while it was not stated how far the tripartite pact extended into the Pacific, it was clear that Germany and Italy had committed themselves to war with the United States if the United States became involved in a conflict with Japan, Mr. McEwen pointed out that Japan undertook to "align herself with our enemies if her plans In the East are interrupted."
The Minister for External emphasized that the pact w implication that the Brit and the United States must be isolate ed while Germany, Italy and Japan took what they wanted.
The fear of interference by the United States clearly will not deter the plans of Japan and the Axis, he warned.
"How this has suited Russia, Russia alone knew. How far Japan's aims are extended beyond China nobody knows," he concluded.—United Press, Shipping Losses for Week Announced London, Oct. 1.
Mercantile through enemy action (pr owing to submarine activity) during the week ended September 22 were 27 ships with a total tonnage of 159,000 tons, lo an announcement by the Of these, 19 vessels were sh. three allied and five neutral.
To September 29, the announcement adds. total enemy shipping captured. scuttled or sunk amounted to 351,000 tons, of which 1,067,000 tong German.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.