TENSION IN BALKANS

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 February 1940, Page 7

TENSION IN BALKANS

TURKEY’S DISCOVERIES NAZI SABOTAGE PLANS [BY CABLE —PBESS ASSN. —COPYBIGHT.] LONDON, February 9. Tension in the Balkans has heightened since Turkey has uncovered evidence of a network of Nazi agents ready to perpetrate explosions and train wrecks at a signal from Berlin. It is stated in Turkey that it is now impossible to allow. Germans to remain in strategic positions. It is alleged that German caused an explosion on the steamer Tintern Abbbey, on January 30. A spokesman, for the Governor of Istanbul, however, denied that Germans had been ordered to leave Turkey. According to another report, Germany regards the affair as a trade matter between the Krupp shipyards and the Turkish Government. The German view is that the technicians have not been dismissed but have been forced to cease work because of lack of materials from Germany. Meanwhile, Italian-Turkish trade negotiations have been successfully concluded. Some foreign observers see significance in the agreement as paving the way for Italian action in the event of a Russian move on the Balkans. Informed circles in Rome state that Italy’s policy remains that of supporting every effort to maintain peace in south-eastern Europe. The Roumanian Cabinet has approved the decisions of the Balkan Entente, the Foreign Minister (M. .Gafencu) emphasising the solidarity of the member States.

Elaborate precautions have been completed to provide Russian oil for the German war machine with Bulgaria’s help. Baku oil will be sent from the Caspian Sea to Batum. The oil will then be shipped across the Black Sea and unloaded at the Bulgarian port of Varna. The Bulgarian State railways will then carry the oil to Ruschuk, on the Danube, from where it will reach Germany via the Danube. ITALY’S OPPORTUNITY. (Recd. February 12, 1.30 p.m.) ISTANBUL, February 11. Official quarters predict that Italy will oust Germany from the Turkish market as the result of the TurkoItalian. agreement, which is being signed shortly. ROUMANIAN OIL. BUCHAREST, February 11. Roumania has imposed an export tax on. the products Germany, most needs, namely, 13 per cent, ad valorem on crude oil and all derivatives, 10 to 25 per cent, on vegetable oil, oilproductive seeds, plants and cereals, except wheat maize. SUEZ CANAL ZONE. LONDON, February 9. The French Commander-in-Chief in the Near East (General Weygand) visited the Suez Canal zone with ’the British Commander-in-Chief (Lieu-tenant-General Sir Archibald Wavell) and staff officers' of the Egyptian Army.