and would In particular again take away her position in China. On the other hand, Japan1s position would "be ultimately secured by the German victories which we expect with certainty, should Japan maintain the existing relations with Germany and further enhance them. "As our agreement and understanding with Russia constitutes an important factor in the present balance of powers, this approach is also in the well-understood interest of Japan, which should welcome every strengthen¬ing of the German position. This was even more the case as we were quite capable and if desired also ready to mediate for a settlement between Japan and Russia. If that should succeed, Japan would be able to freely extend her power in East Asia toward the south and there penetrate further. According to our firm conviction this is the direction in which Japan's vital interests lie. It is quite in accordance with the idea of our approach to Russia and I openly emphasized it in Moscow, that we, on our part, are intent on further fostering our relations to Japan. "The idea of close cooperation between Germany, Italy and Japan was therefore not in the least dead. Such cooperation, combined with a Japanese-Russian understanding would, according to the world situation direct itself exclusively against England and thus bring the policy of the three powers as well as of Russia into a uniform