RUSSIAN SEIZURES

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 June 1940, Page 7

RUSSIAN SEIZURES

“INTERESTS OF JUSTICE”

M. MOLOTOV’S STATEMENT

Territory Not Roumania’s

[by cable— press assn.—copybight.]

■ June 29, 11.25 a.m.) M LONDON, June 28. . text of the official statement, say*; “M. Molotov made the following declaration to the Roumanian Minister at Moscow on June 26: In 1918, Roumania, taking advantage of Russia’s military weakness, took possession of Bessarabia and north Bukowina, and with this action tore territory from the Ukraine to which it belonged, both historically and culturally. The Soviet was never reconciled to this act, and repeatedly displayed its dissatisfaction to the opinion of the whole world. “At the present time, when the international situation demands rapid settlement in the interests of sound peace, the Soviet believes her territories should be returned in the interests of justice. The Soviet considers that northern Bukowina, the inhabitants of which are historically connected with the Soviet Ukraine, should now be returned with Bessabaria. Such act would also be just, because during the 22 years that Roumania has been in possession of Bessarabia, the Soviet has suffered huge losses, owing to her territory being exploited by another country. “The Soviet therefore suggests to Roumania that Bessarabia should be returned to the Soviet, and that part of northern Bukowina should be handed to the Soviet.” The statement then outlines the contacts which had occurred between the Russian and Roumanian diplomatic representatives.

ROUMANIAN REPLY.

LONDON, June 28.

The first news of the Soviet demands came from Berlin and Rom'e. All Roumanian troops have taken up their positions, and defensive works have been begun in Bucharest, where main buildings have been sandbagged. A message from Bucharest states on unimpeachable authority that Russian troops will to-day start moving into the Roumanian territories which the Soviet has demanded. They will begin to march in at 2 o’clock in the afternoon. The Red Army will first occupy the strategic points, these including the capital of Bessarabia, the capital of Bukowina, and the ports at the mouth of the Danube River... The Moscow radio stated that the Roumanian Minister at 11 a.m. today delivered a Roumanian reply agreeing to the Soviet demands, but asking for a few days’ postponement of the full occupation. M. Molotov stated that a few hours’ delay might be granted. The Swiss radio gives as additional points in the Soviet ultimatum the control of the Roumanian oilfields and a change in the Roumanian political system. A Belgrade message says telephonic communication from Roumania to Jugoslavia, Hungary, and other Balkan States has been cut off. RUSSIAN TROOPS ADVANCE. (Recd. June 29, 10 a.m.) * BUCHAREST, June 28. The Russian Legation states that

troops in considerable numbers have now occupied the capitals of Bessarabia and Bukovina, and will occupy all Bessarabia to the mouth of the Danube and Bukovina, to a point on the river Suceava, 40 miles south of the present frontier. When Russian planes arrived at Kishinev and Gzernowitz, the pilots showed the authorities maps indicating new boundaries, and officially announced the incorporation of the territories marked. One hundred Russian Army corps are reported to be massed on the Bessarabian border. MORE TOWNS OCCUPIED.

MOSCOW, June 28. Soviet troops occupied Cernauti, Akkerman and Kishinev, this afternoon.

CABINET RESIGNATIONS.

BUCHAREST, June 27.

Six members of the Roumanian Cabinet, including M. Gigurtu, the Foreign Minister, have * resigned. Their places have been promptly filled. M. Argetoianu replaces M.. Gigurtu. M. Tatarescu remains Premier. THREE DAYS’ MOURNING. (Recd. June 29, 10 a.m.) BUCHAREST, June 28.. King Carol has appointed a Special War Council. He dismissed six Ministers who are reported to have opposed full acceptance of the Russian demands. A decree imposes three days’ national mourning.

TURKISH NAVY. ISTANBUL, June 27. The battleship Yavuz, formerly the Goeben, and three smaller units of the Turkish fleet, have left for the Black Sea for the purpose of policing the Turkish coastal waters therein.

HUNGARIAN ATTITUDE.

DEMANDS TO BE PRESENTED.

BUDAPEST, June 28. » After a lengthy „ meeting of the Hungarian Cabinet, a spokesman of the Foreign Office made a statement as follows: —

“Roumania will make a fatal mistake if she considers that, by satisfying the Russian claims, she can escape the Hungarian claims for the return of Transylvania. Of these claims, Hungary, when the time is ripe, will get the fulfilment. Hungary is matching her policy with that of the German-Italian axis.

“Roumania, for twenty years, has emphasised that she would defend her territorial integrity. King Carol, only last week, declared that Roumania would not surrender one acre. Roumania has now abandoned this policy. Thus she has created a new situation, and Soviet Russia profits from the present European situation.”