BALKAN COUNTRIES

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 December 1940, Page 9

BALKAN COUNTRIES

BULGARIA’S POLICY OUTUNED NEUTRALITY AND REACE [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] LONDON, December 4. Both Bulgaria and Jugoslavia have emphasised their desire to remain neutral and their determination to defend their independence, and both are taking measures to strengthen their defences. Turkey has stated that any attempt to impose the new order on her will be regarded as a threat to her independence, and she will fight to maintain her liberty. Bulgaria’s foreign policy. was outlined in a statement by her Prime Minister (M. Popov) to Parliament. Re? lations with Germany were friendly, he said, and relations with Russia and Turkey were developing satisfactorily in accordance with non-aggression treaties with those countries. Bulgaria’s policy would continue to be one of neutrality and of seeking to maintain peace with her neighbours. M. Popov did not refer directly to the war in Greece. Official quarters in London have noted M. Popov’s statement with satisfaction and understand Bulgaria’s anxiety not to repeat previous mistakes. Official quarters also recall British assurances that Bulgaria’s independence will be respected at the peace settlement provided she does not assist the enemies of Britain and her Allies.

IRON GUARDS. (Recd. December 5, 11.20 a.m.) VICHY, December 4. The Havas News Agency’s Bucharest correspondent says that the Iron Guards have been ordered to surrendei’ their arms and ammunition, within three days. Many concerned in the recent murders, including the Chief of Police at Ploesti, have been arrested.

OIL LINES NATIONALISED (Recd. December 5, 11.20 a.m.) LONDON, December 4. The Berlin News Agency stated that a Bucharest decree nationalises the oil pipe-lines and installations. HUNGARY’S PROTEST. (Reed. December 5, 9.5 a.m.) BUDAPEST, December 4. Count Teleki, in the Chamber of Deputies, protested against the recent speeches of General Antonescu and Horia Sima (Rumanian Nazi leader), about Rumania’s claims to Transylvania. “Hungary cannot employ the same tone as Rumania, because she feels a warm friendship for the Axis Powers, who have made the new frontier.”

ANGLO-TURKISH TRADE. RUGBY, December 4. The Turkish and British Governments have concluded arrangements by which they hope to bring about a considerable increase in trade, through commercial exchanges between Turkey and Britain, during the validity of the arrangements. Provision is made that payments between Turkey and the sterling area shall be effected at the existing Turkish rate of exchange, and that special accounts shall be created in order to facilitate commercial and other payments between the two countries. The present arrangement is complementary to the trade and payments agreement signed in'London on February 3, 1940. .The Treasury has made two orders under the Defence Regulations, giving effect to these arrangements.