BALKAN BID

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20140, 9 January 1940, Page 5

BALKAN BID

KEEPING PEACE NEW PACT HOPED AGGRESSORS WATCHED HUNGARIAN AGREEMENT POSTPONING CLAIMS PARLEYS WITH ITALY (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Jan. 9, 12 noon) * LONDON, Jan. 8. The Rome correspondent of the British United Press says it is authori r tatively stated that the Hungarian Foreign Minister, Count, Csaky, agreed to Count Ciano’s suggestion

that Hungary should territorial claims from her neighbours to a more opportune moment, in order to avoid jeopardising peace in' southeast Europe. Count Csaky, it is. reported, will secure a ratification of this in Budapest, where he will go after his visit to Italy. Offer of Defence It is authoritatively stated that Italy has offered to defend Hungary against aggression “from whatever quarter it might come.” - . The Budapest correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says that . (the Hungarian-Italian alliance is reported to be due to Hungarian and Italian fears that Russia may move in south-eastern Europe. » There are disturbing reports in Budapest that Germany is dissatisfied with. Rumania’s refusal to ..send greater quantities of, food and war materials and is considering a march across Hungary to Rumania.. It is also stated in Budapest that Germany us seeking defensive frontiers deep in the Balkans because it is feared that England, France and Turkey are planning to create an eastern front. Russia or Germany The Budapest correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says it is learned on the highest authority that Count Csaky and Count Ciano concluded a defensive military alliance designed to assure Hungary of Italy’s support against-aggression from either Russia or Germany. It is understood that Yugoslavia is not willing to join an outright alliance, but might enter a triple friendship pact under which it is presumed Italy would be permitted to move troops across her territory. Count Csaky is expected in Budapest to-morrow to submit the text to the Crown Council, after which he will go to Rome to sign a pact. It is understood that Count Ciano urged Hungary to seek at least a temporary agreement with Rumanid in connection with the Transylvanian minorities. .

It is reported from Bucharest that the Rumanian Minister, M. Gafencu, is now planning to visit Count Ciano to discuss Italy’s efforts to reconcile Hungarian and Rumanian differences.