Since the conclusion on November 25, 1936 between Japan and Germany of the Agreement against the Communist International—the so-called Anti-Comintern Pact—Italy adhered to it on November 6 of the following year (1937), as original signatory. She was then followed by Manchoukuo, Hungary and Spain, bringing the number of the participants to six countries, thus displaying its effectiveness. As the five-year period of the validity of the Agreement was about to expire, the Signatory Powers consulted among themselves, which resulted in an agreement of views to extend its validity for five more years. A new Protocol concerning the extension of validity of the Agreement was signed today, November 25, at Berlin between the plenipotentiaries of the six Powers, namely, Japan, Germany, Italy, Manchoukuo, Hungary and Spain.
It requires no reiteration that the Communist International, or the Comintern, with its world-wide organization, is carrying on disruptive machinations of communistic nature in all parts of the world. Accordingly, defence against such machinations must be of a world-wide scope. With the task of establishing a new order in East Asia as the basis of her national policy, Japan feels keenly the increasing necessity of safeguarding against the Comintern. That the Anti-Comintern Pact has accordingly been renewed, and that participation of countries, which will share similar intentions under the provisions of the new Protocol, is envisaged, is a source of profound congratulation.
The contents of the new Protocol are as follows:
PROTOCOL
The Government of the Empire of Japan, the Government of Germany, the Government of the Kingdom of Italy, the Government
of the Kingdom of Hungary, the Government of the Empire of Manchoukuo, and the Government of Spain;
Recognizing that the Agreement concluded between them for safeguarding against the activities of the Communist International has been most effective;
Believing firmly that the common interests of their countries require their close cooperation against the said common enemy, have decided to extend the period of validity of the above-mentioned Agreement, and have agreed upon the following provisions for the purpose:
Article 1. The Agreement against the Communist International consisting of the Agreement and the annexed Protocol of November 25, 1936, and the Protocol of November 6, 1937; and the Protocol of February 24, 1939, and the Protocol of March 27, 1939, by which Hungary, Manchoukuo and Spain respectively participated, shall be prolonged for five years beginning with November 25, 1941.
Article 2. The countries, which desire to participate in the said Agreement through the invitation by the Government of the Japanese Empire, Germany and the Italian Kingdom, shall communicate to the German Government by document the declaration of their participation; and the German Government shall notify the Governments of the other Signatories concerning the said communication. Such participation shall become effective from the day of the receipt by the German Government of the declaration of participation.
Article 3. The present Protocol shall be made in the Japanese, German and Italian languages and shall be the official texts of the respective countries. The present Protocol shall come into force from the day of its signature.
The Contracting Powers shall, at a suitable time, prior to the expiry of the five-year period stipulated in Article 1, come to an understanding concerning the method of their subsequent cooperation.
In faith whereof the undersigned, having been duly authorized by their respective Governments, have signed the present Protocol and have affixed their seals thereto.