INTERNATIONAL SITUATION

Evening Star, Issue 23727, 7 November 1940, Page 9

INTERNATIONAL SITUATION

THE BALKANS AND EGYPT REVIEW OF PRESENT POSITION (British Official Wireless.) Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright RUGBY, November 6. (Received November 7, at 9.40 a.m.) Reviewing the international situation in the House of Lords, Lord Halifax said measures to assist Greece in defending herself against unwarranted aggression by her rapacious neighbour had already been taken, and further measures were in hand. The position in Yugoslavia was sufficiently difficult since the defection of France, and it had been rendered yet more delicate as the result of this latest Italian move. Geographically, Yugoslavia lay midway between Germany and Italy, and both thesa countries were attempting to take the fullest advantage of this situation. Morally occupied by Germany, Rumania was now on the way of becoming physically occupied by Germany as well. The British Government appreciated the difficulties of Bulgaria’s situation and welcomed the assurance of King Boris of the desire of all Bulgarians to defend themselves, which constituted a very solid barrier against aggression. Regarding Egypt, Mr Eden had been able to assure His Majesty’s Government and the Egyptian Government that nothing humanly possible was left undone to maintain the security of Egypt, the Suez Canal, and the Sudan, and, secondly, as the opportunity offered, to engage and strike at the Italian forces operating on the frontiers of those lands. With reference to France, Lord Halifax said Hitler was prosecuting his design of attempting to disintegrate the whole life and future of the French nation. “We have not yet been fully informed of what passed in Hitler’s conversation with Marshal Petain,” he said, “ and should in the meantime suspend judgment. We realise Marshal Petain’s difficulties.” He hoped that by entering into a form of “ collaboration ” with Germany the load of suffering might be eased. Britain could not believe that a Government headed by a man of honour like Marshal Petain would commit France to a course which would be a stab in the back of her former ally. ENEMY TANKER SUNK TORPEDOED BY BRITISH SUBMARINE LONDON, November 6. (Received November 7, at 1.25 p.m.) The Admiralty announced that the Submarine Taku on November 2 sank a large enemy tanker proceeding to an occupied French port. The tanker sank in eight minutes. MARRIAGE REPORTED KING CAROL AND MADAME LUPESCU .MADRID, November C. (Received November 7, at 10.55 a.m.) In attempting to save Madame Lupescu from extradition to Rumania King Carol reputedly admitted his marriage to her in London some years ago. RECORDS SEARCHED WITHOUT RESULT LONDON, November 6. (Received November 7, at 1.25 p.m.) A search of the marriage entries at Somerset House for the past 20 years revealed no record of the wedding. Madame Lupescu accompanied King Carol on his visit to London in 1928. The Government asked them to .leave after three weeks.