Anti-Comintern Pact

The Anti-Comintern Pact was an agreement initially concluded between tbe Japanese Empire and Germany at Berlin on 25 November 1936. Italy joined tbe Pact a year later, adding her signature at Rome on 6 November 1937. Hungary also joined on 26 February 1939.

It recognised that tbe objects of tbe Communist International (the Komintern) were tbe disintegration of, and tbe commission of violence against, existing States by tbe exercise of all means at its command. It stated that tbe toleration of interference by tbe Communist International in tbe internal affairs of nations not only endangered their internal peace and social welfare, but threatened tbe general peace of tbe world.

"Desiring to co-operate for defence against communist disintegration" tbe parties agreed:

• Article 1: The High Contracting States agree that they will mutually keep each other informed concerning tbe activities of tbe Communist International, will confer upon tbe necessary measures of defence, and will carry out such measures in close co-operation.

• Article 2: The High Contracting States will jointly invite third States whose internal peace is menaced by tbe disintegrating work of tbe Communist International, to adopt defensive measures in tbe spirit of tbe present Agreement or to participate in tbe present Agreement.

• Article 3: The Agreement shall come into force on tbe day of its signature and shall remain in force for five years. The contacting States will, in a reasonable time before tbe expiration of tbe said term, come to an understanding upon tbe further manner of their co-operation.

A Supplementary Protocol further defining tbe above was issued.