SOVIET PLOT ALLEGED

Grey River Argus, 12 February 1938, Page 9

SOVIET PLOT ALLEGED

5 To Secure Bessarabia NEW LIGHT ON BUTENKO’S DISAPPEARANCE. (Received February 11, 8.20 p.m.) LONDON, February 10. The “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent says a secret official inquiry has been held in Bucharest regarding the disappearance of the Soviet Embassy Official, M. Butenko, which has been attributed by the Russians to German Nazi action, murder being alleged. However, certain red staines first considered to Rave been blood were afterwards found to be red ink. The result of the inquiry indicates a deliberate Russian plot to close down the Soviet Legation in Bucharest. M. Butenko’s chauffeur, who drove him, said he had not discovered his destination on the night of his disappearance. He was increasingly vague under cross examination. Russian-Rumanian relations have deteriorated since the fall of M. TMulescu as Roumanian Foreign Minister. He secured from Moscow recognition of Roumanian Sovereignty over Bessarabia, which territory Roumania occupied at the time of the European War; but his successor, M. Antineson, clumsily allowed the Moscow Government to reopen the issue. . The belief at Bucharest is that Russia wants to deny King Carol s right to rule Bessarabia, and that Russia is presenting circumstances supporting its story that Roumanian Fascists murdered Butenko, whereas it is believed that he was motored secretly to a rendezvous on the plains outside of the city, whence an aeroplane bore him to Russia. . A Soviet Note, protesting against Butenko’s disappearance, was presented at the Foreign Office.