"Anti-Comintern" Pact

Protocol Concluded by Italy, Germany, and Japan, at Rome, November 6, 1937

Hitler's support of Italy during the Ethiopean War was followed by  their joint assistance to  Gen. Francisco Franco in the Spanish Civil War, which erupted on July 17, 1936. Their growing community of interest is seen in Italy's adhesion to the Anti-Comintern Pact. The Comintern, established by V.I. Lenin in 1919 was designed to sponsor and direct communist parties outside of the Soviet Union. As Mussolini had long fought against the Communist Party of Italy, it was natural for him to join this pact. Note that this pact is not directed at the Soviet Union. Its existence would become an embarrassment when Hitler negotiated his pact of friendship and neutrality with the Soviets on August 23, 1939.

The Italian Government, the Government of the German Reich, and the Imperial Government of Japan, 

Considering that the Communist International continues constantly to imperil the civilized world in the Occident and Orient, disturbing and destroying peace and order, 

Considering that only close collaboration looking to the maintenance of peace and order can limit and remove that peril, 

Considering that Italy - who with the advent of the Fascist regime has with inflexible determination combated that peril and rid her territory of the Communist International - has decided to align herself against the common enemy along with Germany and Japan, who for their part are animated by like determination to defend themselves against the Communist International. 

Have, in conformity with Article 2 of the Agreement against the Communist International concluded at Berlin on November 25, 1936, by Germany and Japan, agreed upon the following: 

Article I 

Italy becomes a party to the Agreement against the Communist International and to the Supplementary Protocol concluded on November 25, 1936, between Germany and Japan, the text of which is included in the annex to the present Protocol. 

Article II 

The three powers signatory to the present Protocol agree that Italy will be considered as an original signatory to the Agreement and Supplementary Protocol mentioned in the preceding article, the signing of the present Protocol being equivalent to the signature of the original text of the aforesaid Agreement and Supplementary Protocol. 

Article III 

The present Protocol shall constitute an integral part of the above-mentioned Agreement and Supplementary Protocol. 

Article IV 

The present Protocol is drawn up in Italian, Japanese, and German, each text being considered authentic. It shall enter into effect on the date of signature. 

In testimony whereof, etc... 

Ciano
von Ribbentrop
Hotta 

The Avalon Project  at the Yale Law School
http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/wwii/tri3.htm

 
The original Anti-Comintern Pact was signed in Berlin, 25 November 1936. It was little more than a statement of good will between the signatories.
        Agreement Guarding Against the Communistic International 

         The Imperial Government of Japan and the Government of Germany, 

         In cognizance of the fact that the object of the Communistic International (the so-called Komintern) is the disintegration of,  and the commission of violence against, existing States by the exercise of all means at its command, 

         Believing that the toleration of interference by the Communistic International in the internal affairs of nations not only endangers
their internal peace and social welfare, but threatens the general peace of the world, 

         Desiring to co-operate for defense against communistic disintegration, have agreed as follows. 

         Article I 

         The High Contracting States agree that they will mutually keep each other informed concerning the activities of the
Communistic International, will confer upon the necessary measure of defense, and will carry out such measures in close
co-operation. 

         Article II 

         The High Contracting States will jointly invite third States whose internal peace is menaced by the disintegrating work
of the Communistic International, to adopt defensive measures in the spirit of the present Agreement or to participate in the
present Agreement. 

         Article III 

         The Japanese and German texts are each valid as the original text of this Agreement. The Agreement shall come into force
on the day of its signature and shall remain in force for the term of five years. The High Contracting States will, in a
reasonable time before the expiration of the said term, come to an understanding upon the further manner of their
co-operation. 

         In witness whereof the undersigned, duly authorized by their respective Governments, have affixed hereto their seals and
signatures. 

         Done in duplicate at Berlin, November 25th, 11th year of Showa, corresponding to November 25th, 1936. 

         Viscount Kintomo Mushakoji
    Imperial Japanese Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary 

         Joachim von Ribbentrop German Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary 

The Avalon Project  at the Yale Law School
http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/wwii/tri1.htm
 Back to Introduction Back to Syllabus