BALKAN ENTENTE

Evening Star, Issue 23492, 5 February 1940, Page 7

BALKAN ENTENTE

THE BELGRADE CONFERENCE COMPLETE NEUTRALITY AFFIRMED CLOSER ECONOMIC RELATIONS BELGRADE, February 4. (Received February 5, at 8 a.m.) Bay Saracoglu is conferring with M. Kiosselvanov, who is en route to Turkey. Bulgaria is joining in the new drive for closer Balkan economic relations, A Bulgarian trade delegation is going to Belgrade on February 11, and a Yugoslav delegation to Sofia on February 17. These negotiations, it is believed, will link Bulgaria with the Balkan Marketing Board, which is the most con-

crete proposal from the Entente meeting. The Marketing Board) would encourage inter-Balkan trade and offer a united front to demands from belligerents for an “ unneutral ” economic policy. Yugoslavia has postponed acceptance of an invitation to sent a trade delegation to Germany. The Entente is expected to proclaim an opportune moment for settlement of political problems that have not yet arisen. All the members are united in the d'esire to maintain peace and neutrality in the Balkans and the Danube Basin. Each member is free to pursue its own interpretation of neutrality and to make bilateral agreements with non-members. M. Markovitch, addressing the Entente banquet, said members of the Entente would be completely neutral, provided their integrity and independence were respected and the Balkans were threatened by nobody. The attitude of Bulgaria and Hungary conformed with the Entente’s peaceful policy. It was hoped, therefore, that economic collaboration between the Balkan countries would develop so that they could the more easily resist the pressure of the present time. GREATER CO-OPERATION BAY SARACOGLU’S SIGNIFICANT DECLARATION BELGRADE, February 4. An earlier message stated that discreet announcements concerning the Balkan Entente deliberations indicate at least a temporary triumph for German and Italian efforts to keep the Balkans politically disunited, but signs are not lacking that greater co-operation will develop, beginning with trade collaboration. Bay Saracoglu made the most significant declaration that Bulgaria would not raise revisionist claims during the present complicated situation. Observers forecast the cession not only of Rumanian territory, but a Turkish and Greek arrangement for fulfilling the Bulgarian desire for access to the .dSgean Sea. M. Gafencu said: “ It is Rumania’s belief that the Bulgarian and Hungarian demands can be settled by a suitable form of regional agreement. Bulgaria’s desire to respect the interests of the Balkan community brings nearer the time when the regulation of all relations between the Balkan States will be possible. All rumours that the Entente is directed against certain neighbouring States is false.” WILL STAND BY EACH OTHER FRIENDSHIP QUITE UNBREAKABLE BELGRADE, February 3. In a statement to the Press, the Rumanian Envoy (M. Gafencu) declared that the Balkan Conference has established a unity of viewpoint on the questions at issue. “ It is possible,” ho said, “ for us to collaborate fully, and collaboration remains open with other States within the bounds of our national independence,” The Turkish Envoy (Bay Saracoglu) said: “The determination of our countries to stand by each other need not be emphasised. lam happy to say the conference will show the best results, and reaffirm the unity of the four Powers from every viewpoint,” The Yugoslavian Envoy (M. Markovitch) said: " There exists a definite friendship between the four delegates ■which is quite unbreakable.”

HO SENSATIONS EXPECTED NEW YORK, February 3. The ‘ New York Times ’ correspondents in Rome andl the Balkan capitals stress the fact that the Entente Conference will probably not be sensational. They also issue a warning against rumours circulating without confirmation. The Belgrade correspondent (M. Sulzberger) states that the diplomats think that they are “ bunk,” and adds that it is likely that the Entente will merely labour for better relations with Bulgaria, and possibly Hungary, but will not attempt to expand the bloc lest they offend Germany. It is believed that Bay Saracoglu today removed a stumbling block by successfully explaining Turkey’s reasons for signing an accord with Britain and France. He pointed out that, if Turkey is not strictly neutral, it is out of the war. CLOSE CO-OPERATION EXCLUDING WAR FROM BALKANS LONDON, February 4. (Received February 5, at 11 a.m.) An official communique issued at Belgrade after the meeting of the Entente Council stated: The four members agreed:— Firstly, to preserve peace in the common interests of the member States. Secondly, to continue the policy of excluding war from their part of Europe. Thirdly, to preserve the closest cooperation of members. Fourthly, the establishment of friendly relations with neighbours. Fifthly, intensifying collaboration in commerce and transport between members. Sixthly, to extend the pact for seven years. Lastly, the foreign Ministers maintain the closest contact until the next conference in Athens in February, 1941. RUSSIA AND BULGARIA TRADE TREATY RATIFIED MOSCOW, February 4. Received February 5, at 12.30 p.m.) The Supreme Soviet Council has ratified the Russia n-Bulgarian trade treaty. PLANES FOR RUMANIA INCREASE IN ORDERS BUCHAREST, February 4. (Received February 5, at 12.30 p.m.) Rumania has increased her orders for aeroplane imports, EXPLOSIONS AND BLAZE GERMAN EXPLANATION “ HUT CAUGHT FIRE " BERLIN, February 4. (Received February 5, at 8 a.m.) An official news agency explains that the explosions and! big blaze heard and seen from Basle on February 2 occurred when a hut caught fire. Four tins of petrol exploded due to workmen’s carelessness. BEEF FOR BRITAIN AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. EXPORTS TENFOLD INCREASE UNDER CHILLING SYSTEM LONDON, February 4. (Received February 5, at 10.30 a.m.) Coinciding with the announcement that the Admiralty is taking over full control of shipbuilding, in addition to shipping, is the release of the report of the Food Investigation Board, in which it is stated that Australian and New Zealand beef exports to Britain increased tenfold after the introduction of the chilling system five years ago. The report adds that the trade still has problems, one of which is to improve the appearance of the meat, which depends on the condition layer extending inwards to a depth of less than one-tenth of an inch. There is a good deal of evidence that the appearance might be improved by increasing the evaporation of water from’ the meat during the voyage to the market, the possibility of which is being subjected to practical experiments. NATIONAL SAVINGS RAPID EXTENSION OF MOVEMENT (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, February 4. (Received February 5, at 11 a.m.) ’ Last week 1,255 national savings groups were started with a membership of some 200,000. In the 10 weeks since the war savings campaign began 8,149 groups have been formed. 1 National savings certificates for the past week were 2,672,200, and of defence bonds 2,770,195. The sales of certificates since November 22 are 36,985,450, and of bonds 36,481,710*