THE NEAR. EAST.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 134, 18 March 1940, Page 5

THE NEAR. EAST.

AMBITIOUS NAZI DREAMS.

ALLIED PLAN ACCORDING TO MOSCOW.

LONDON, March 17.

South-eastern Europe and the Near East are again taking fire place in the European situation. Nothing concrete has emerged from the last two days of diplomatic thrust and parry throughout Europe, although German sources are still harping on the theme that startling, events can bo expected next week. The diplomatic correspondent of tho “Observer” expresses the opinion that Germany’s diplomatic offensive includes the Ambitious project of promoting a deal among Russia, Italy and Germany to carve up Europe east from the Rhine. It is understood that Germany has suggestecj that the small Baltic States should go to Russia, Rumania to Germany,- and Jugoslavia to Italy. Germany’s policy is directed to eliminating the risk of an Allied offensive in the Near East. The correspondent adds that there is no evidence that Italy is agreeable *to such a grandiose scheme. It is also understood that Turkey has given a specific undertaking to England and France to resist by force any further attempt to alter the Balkan map. Authoritative circles in London declare that sensational deductions about Rumania are not justified. In Moscow, “Izvestia” again draws attention to the Allied preparations in the Near East. It says: “The Allies obviously intend to launch armies against the Balkans to. create a new war front and sever Germany’s trade connections in South-eastern Europe. The arrival of 50 British officers at Adrianople to supervise" tho TurkisliBulgarian frontier is evidence of plans for an advance base for military operations.” “Izvestia” added: “The Allies activity in the Near East is particularly unfavourable to Italy because it threatens her colonial empire.”

A Budapest message says that the Hungarian Prime -Minister (Count Teleki), broadcasting on tho first anniversary of the Carpathian Ukraine, declared that Hungary was determined to maintain her independence, but was not relinquishing her minority claims in the Danubian basin.