184

 

Department of State Bulletin, vol. III, p. 251

 

Statement by the Secretary of State, September 27, 1940

 

The reported agreement of alliance [56] does not, in the view of the Government of the United States, substantially alter a situation which has existed. for several years. Announcement of the alliance merely makes clear to all a relationship which has long existed in effect arid to which this Government has repeatedly called attention. That such an agreement has been in process of conclusion has been well known for some time, and that fact has been fully taken into account by the Government of the United States in the determining of this country's policies.

 

[56] The following is a tentative translation, as received from the Japanese Min­istry for Foreign Affairs on Sept. 27, 1940, of the Tripartite Pact between Japan, Germany, and Italy, signed at Berlin, Sept. 27, 1940 (Dept. of State, file 763.9411/136):

 

The Governments of Japan, Germany and Italy, considering it as the condi­tion precedent of any lasting peace that all nations of the world be given each its own proper place, have decided to stand by and co‑operate with one another in regard to their efforts in Greater East Asia and the regions of Europe respec­tively wherein it is their prime purpose to establish and maintain a new order of things calculated to promote mutual prosperity and welfare of the peoples concerned. Furthermore it is the desire of the three Governments to extend cooperation to such nations in other spheres of the world as may be inclined to put forth endeavours along lines similar to their own, in order that their ultimate aspirations for world peace may thus be realized. Accordingly the Governments of Japan, Germany and Italy have agreed as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1

Japan recognizes and respects the leadership of Germany and Italy in the establishment of a new order in Europe.

 

573