The Pittsburgh Press (April 20, 1941)
PARADE OF PACTS STILL TRAMPS ON
….
Munich began modern series, Jap-Soviet treaty is latest; and some of them still are in effect
….
The new Japanese-Russian Neutrality Pact, announced one week ago today, has riveted attention anew on the role that treaties and agreements play on the stage of war.
Here are the diplomatic pacts and agreements that have had a part in the European war picture since British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, seeking “peace in our time,” signed the Munich Agreement:
Sept. 29, 1938
The Munich Agreement, signed by Germany, Britain, France and Italy. It provided for cession to Germany of the Sudeten area of Czechoslovakia and an international guarantee of Czechoslovakia’s new frontiers.
The German armies marched into Czechoslovakia the following spring, disregarding their promise.
May 12, 1939
Anglo-Turkish Mutual Assistance Pact, to:
….assure Great Britain and Turkey of mutual aid and assistance should the necessity arise.
Still in effect.
May 22, 1939
Italy and Germany signed a 10-year military alliance, joining them in “peace or war.”
Italy entered the war on the German side June 10, 1940.
Aug. 24, 1939
Soviet-German Non-Aggression Pact. Russia and Germany agreed to refrain from aggressive action against one another and pledged themselves not to assist any third power that might attack either. Still in effect.
Sept. 28, 1939
Soviet-German Friendship Pact. In the spirit of “general political understanding,” Russia and Germany agreed to develop their economic relations and exchange goods. They jointly voiced the opinion it would be in the interest of all nations to end the state of war between Germany and Britain and France. Still in effect.
Sept. 27, 1940
Berlin-Rome-Tokyo Military Alliance. Germany hailed it as “a Monroe Doctrine for Europe and Asia.” Still in effect.
Dec. 12, 1940
Yugoslavia and Hungary signed a pact of “constant peace and perpetual friendship."
Hungarian troops moved into Yugoslavia behind the Germans more than a week ago, to occupy the Bačka area between the Danube and Tisza Rivers.
Feb. 17, 1941
Bulgaria and Turkey signed a mutual friendship pact. It made no mention of the possibility of German troops occupying Bulgaria.
The pact is technically still in effect, although German troops occupied Bulgaria last March.
Mar. 25, 1941
- Russia guaranteed Turkey “complete neutrality and understanding” in event she is attacked. Still in effect.
- The Yugoslav government headed by Regent Prince Paul signed a treaty of adherence to the Axis. The Axis guaranteed that troops would not march through Yugoslavia to attack Greece and that Yugoslav territorial integrity would be respected.
The Prince Paul government was overthrown March 27, and the new government failed to answer German inquiries as to whether it would carry out the Axis pact. German troops began the invasion of Yugoslavia April 6.
April 5, 1941
Russia and Yugoslavia signed non-aggression and friendship pact.
April 13, 1941
Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact. Russia and Japan agreed to remain neutral in the event either is attacked. The treaty was signed for a period of five years, automatically renewable for five more if neither denounces it a year before the end of the original term.