Participation by Italy in the Japanese-German Anti-Comintern Agreement, now hardly more than a year old, has given it new strength. The new Agreement has become the vital and basic means by which the three most energetic countries in the world today are endeavouring to safeguard universal peace and order. We have every reason to believe that the Pact may further be reinforced by the participation of other principal Powers within the near future.
At this time we are reminded that old international agreements have become incapable of adjusting themselves to the changing conditions in the world today, and that naturally they have lost their once useful power. The spirit underlying the present Agreement, therefore, is fraught with important cultural implications; to my mind it will undoubtedly be a cardinal point in international relations during the years to come. On this memorable occasion, I wish to re-examine the true significance of this historic Agreement for the dual purposes of appreciating fully the friendship of our two great allies and of stimulating the thinking of the Japanese people concerning the gravity of the current emergency.
The International Menace of the Comintern
Essentially, the conclusion of the present Pact was prompted by the attempt to establish defence on an international scale against the international menace of the Comintern, by the nations which concur in recognition of its highly destructive character. If any country holds misgivings regarding such passive and pacific cooperation it is but creating a bugbear out of its own groundless fears. The real source of the unrest which has been threatening the entire world during the twenty years since the World War has admittedly been the sinister actions of the Communist International. Germany, Italy and Japan have all suffered to an appreciable extent from these
underhanded activities; only the growing vitality of these nations has enabled them to eliminate such intrigue. Where, on the contrary, national life and structure has manifested vulnerable spots, such as have existed in China and Spain, the disastrous power and influence of Communism has penetrated.
The Comintern and China
The basic cause of the present situation in China can be attributed largely to the strategy of the Comintern in exploiting the crude sentiment of nationalism which has been running high among the Chinese people, and in successfully concentrating it in action against Japan. It has now been revealed that the organization at Moscow has been planning, as a last resort, to prolong Chinese hostilities in the interests not of China but of itself. The measure which Japan has now adopted of dealing a punitive blow against China, in place of working in collaboration with her for the development of human culture, has not been sought by us in the least, but has been taken as an inevitable step under existing circumstances. Its necessity remains a cause for extreme regret. I hope from the bottom of my heart that the day will soon come when intelligent men in China will seriously reflect upon this lamentable state of affairs, and will lead their people in returning, as has been destined, to that great task of nation building in collaboration with their old neighbour, Japan, which is bound to them by ties of identity in race and written language. "A corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit." In accordance with this eternal rule, the past records of the Comintern eloquently explain what kind of organization it really is. Wherever and whenever it has operated, the morale of the people has degraded, industries have been destroyed, and the national structure has been eaten away as if by termites. Its operations are incompatible in all respects with the prosperity of nations. Therefore, it becomes expedient, for the defence not only of our own Japan but also of human culture, that we should arrest the disastrous working of that international organization. This is no mere method of reasoning, but a conviction based upon what we have actually experienced.
The venomous influence of the Comintern begins its work not with political activities but with ideational values. Its system of ideas decidedly deprives nations and peoples of the ethical significance of their existence, and substitutes strife and enmity between the parts for harmony and love of the whole. Its world outlook, based on materialistic individualism, is far remote from the essential
nature of man who has been created to enjoy a peaceful, neighbourly life in accordance with the fundamental principles of the universe.
The Spiritual Foundation of Japan
To the Japanese mind, moral principles constitute the basis for the founding and existence of a nation. In so far as individuals live and work within the fold of the moral Empire, Japanese believe that they are free, free in most real and essential terms. When our one hundred million compatriots stand as one man, in reverence and loyalty before the presence of the Throne, we are filled with the highest emotion. Founded on this faith and sentiment, Japanese history has run a glorious course during three thousand years. In perfect clarity we are acting today to continue the development of the same historical manifestation of life. If there is any field in which we Japanese can make an enduring contribution, it is in the preservation of our national spirit, the spirit of loyalty and righteousness which is characterized by a love of fellow country-men with the same love that is directed toward the country, and the control of individual desires for the sake of harmonious life together. Upon this spiritual foundation alone can all cultural activities be carried out successfully.
Japan, Germany and Italy
The exaltation of a similar lofty spirit, one that reminds us of Bushido, is discernible in the remarkable achievements of our two great allies, Germany and Italy, which have raised themselves to their present standing among the greatest world Powers, in the face of post-War difficulties of the most serious nature. Simultaneously, it inspires and strengthens our hearts to feel the breath of growth and expansion of Japan through episodes of "human bullets" as reported from the front. With heart filled with admiration and encouragement, availing myself of this occasion let me submit my highest esteem and consideration to the two great peoples across the seas, and at the same time express my earnest wish that all members of the Japanese nation advance, with conviction and humility, in a task infinitely valuable and far-reaching in its effect upon human culture, the task upon which we have just embarked.