INFLUENCES IN BALKANS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 94, 15 January 1940, Page 7

INFLUENCES IN BALKANS

Policies Of Powers

NAZIS’ INTENTIONS SPECULATED

Effect Of Situation In

Finland

By Telegraph —Press Assn.—Copyright (Received January 14, 7.5 p.m.)

WASHINGTON, January 13. It is reliably stated that 60 German pursuit planes have been delivered to Rumania as barter for raw materials. This information is most interesting in view of reports of a Russian-German agreement regarding a partition of Rumania. Diplomats discount the political importance, believing that Germany is forced to export war material in order to obtain Rumanian oil and food.

The reports coincide with others that despite Herr von Ribbentrop’s protests the General Staff has backed Field-Marshal Goering in shipping light arms and ammunition to Sweden to replace arms sent to Finland.

The Rome correspondent of the “New York Times” says that the elements of the situation in the Balkans are that Italian influence is growing and Germam influence is weakening.

Russia, because infernal disintegration in the Balkans would advance there more easily than in the north, but a diminished fear of Russia is a factor of great weight. Obviously Signor Mussolini is taking advantage of (Moscow’s and Berlin’s preoccupation to play his own game. Reports that the Hungarian Foreign Minister, Count Czaky, is returning to Italy before the Little Entente convenes on February 2 colour the view that the ground is being prepared for importamt discussions.

At present it is not clear whether Italy is working for or against Germany in endeavouring to unite and strengthen the Balkans to resist Russia, tout she is clearly concentrating on her own interests.

FULL AGREEMENT

Turkey And Bulgaria

(Received January 14, 11.25 p.m.) SOFIA. January 13.

A communique announces a coni-

plete Turco-Bulgarian agreement < concerning the maintenance of peace in the Balkans and . the guarding of Bulgarian neutrality.

SECRET CONFERENCE

Yugoslavia And Rumania

BUCHAREST, January 12.

It is officially disclosed that King Carol of Rumania and Prince Paul, Regent of Yugoslavia, had a secret conference near the Rumanian frontier.

It is assumed that Prince Paul and King Carol wanted to exchange views as partners in the Balkan Entente about the recent talks in Venice between the Italian and Hungarian Foreign Ministers. Both Italian and Hungarian circles have made it clear that the two Foreign Ministers were determined to resist Soviet penetration to the Balkans. —By radio.

OFFER BY FRANCO

Anti-Communist Crusade

VATICAN CITY, January 12

General Franco sent a message to the Vatican offering Spain’s collaboration to restore peace and remove the danger of Communist expansion in Europe. He announced his readiness to support not only an anti-Communist crusade, _ but action in which the Vatican is believed to be engaged in collaboration with Italy and the United States to persuade the warring nations to accept the idea of a world conference to settle disputes. RUSSIAN SHIP STOPPED (Received January 14, 11 p.m. I NEW YORK, January 13. The Hong Kong correspondent of the American. Associated Press states that the British have inaugurated contraband control, intercepted the Russian ship Selenga, and brought her to Hong Kong for examination.

GERMAN LINER SCUTTLED

LONDON, January 12. The Cape Town correspondent of “The Times” reports that a British warship landed the crew of tlie German steamer Ussukuma fur internment. When Hie vessel was intercepted the crew attempted to scuttle her. It wirs hoped to keep the liner ailoat, but it is now learned that she sank.