ITALY’S POSI TION IN BALKANS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 4, 29 September 1939, Page 9

ITALY’S POSI TION IN BALKANS

Relations With Soviet

WATCHING MOSCOW

TALKS

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.

(Received September 28, 7.10 p.m.)

NEW YORK, Sept. 27.

Italy is anxiously watching the Ribbentrop-Molotov conversations, since the immediate fate of the Balkans is involved, states the Rome correspondent of the “New York Tinies.”

Already Russia, much to Italy's dismay and alarm, has become a powerful influence in the Balkans. There are even rumours in Rome that in Moscow there are negotiations for a pact to guarantee the neutrality of the Balkans and the whole of the Eastern Mediterranean.

That is a consummation Italy devoutly wishes, tout it is doubted whether Russia would agree. It is hard to imagine the (Soviet working hand-in-glove with Germany and then turning around to make another agreement aimed at barring German intervention in the Balkans. The conviction is growing that any effort to separate Berlin and Moscow at the present stage is doomed to failure.

That Italy will want to reach an understanding with Russia on the Balkans, however, is quite plausible. _ Her relations with Moscow have been friendly for years. Even the Spanish did not" disturb them seriously behind the scenes. But the problem now is whether there is room for both Italy and Russia in the Balkans, and, if so, how the spheres of influence can be divided. Till the Russian invasion of Poland, Italy supposed that, the whole of the south Balkans Peninsula was her sphere. Great possibilities opened up of ir diversion of the Balkan trade from Germany to Italy—the same trade that the Germans took away from the Italians in the Abyssinian war, and more besides. Now Russia wants a share and may well have the lion’s share, particularly Should it prove that a part of her bargain witli Germany was a free hand in the Balkans.

IMPENDING ECLIPSE?

Position Of Dr. Goebbels

1 PARIS, September 27,

Reports from Berlin appear to confirm that Dr. Goebbels is in disgrace. It is believed to he because of a quarrel with Field-Marshal Goering. An Independent cable message from Paris says it is reported from Zurich that Dr. Goebbels is definitely out of favour an'd will make his exit quietly. He is to be succeeded by Dr. Weiner, a close collaborator of Field-Marshal Goering. Thus Field-Marshal Goering will be able to bring (ho Propaganda Ministry under his own control.

GERMAN CONSULS LEAVING

SYDNEY. September 27.

The Gorman Vice-Consul in Sydney, Dr. W. Hoops, and also Hie German Consul from New Zealand, Herr E. Ramm, and his wife sailed for Tabavis, where they will await further instructions from their Government.

Sueli of the entile news on this page as is Ko bended hns appeared in "The Tinies” and is entiled Io Australia and Now Zealand by special pernilHSlon. It should be understood that the opinions are not those of “The Times” unless expressly stated to bo so