DIPLOMATIC DRIVE IN BALKANS HALTED?

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 282, 27 November 1940, Page 7

DIPLOMATIC DRIVE IN BALKANS HALTED?

BLOW TO AXIS PLANS. Greek Stand And Quick Aid Believed Responsible. British Official Wireless. (Reed, noon.) RUGBY, Nov. 26. The statement emanating from official quarters in Berlin that Slovakia's signature to the threePower pact had completed the series, is noted with interest in London. Earlier obviously inspired reports over the Italian wireless suggested that Bulgarian representatives were on the way to Berlin to sign, and ever since King Boris and Hitler held their meeting, the totalitarian propagandists have been suggesting that Bulgaria was on the point of accepting subservience to the Axis. It appears, therefore, that whatever plans there were at Berlin to bring pressure upon Bulgaria to enter the heraldoin of the "new European order," have been at least postponed. Observers in London see some reflection of the Italian military defeat in Albania in the eudden caution in Berlin. The Greeks' magnificent stand and the evidence that the effective aid which British forces have been able to give the victims of aggression in the Middle East have had widespread influence. The firm attitude of Turkey and the loyalty of Egypt to its obligations as again reiterated by the new Prime Minister in Cairo to-day, have also been important factors in strengthening the resolution of those States most nearly exposed to the bullying from Berlin. The Xa/.i diplomatic offensive, which opened with fanfares on Molotoff's visit to Berlin, has taken as inglorious a turn as Mussolini's military adventure against Greece.

NO PEACE MOVE.

German Denial Of American Press Reports. ENTIRELY GROUNDLESS. (Reed. 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 20. The German news agency stated that American newspaper reports of a new so-called German peace offensive were entirely without foundation.