SOVIET MOVES

Grey River Argus, 21 May 1941, Page 5

SOVIET MOVES

TO AID GERMANY Red Army in Middle Iraq i FAus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Received May 21, 1.5 a.m.) WASHINGTON, May 20. Diplomatic reports indicate that Russia and Germany are now negotiating for joint action in the Middle East. Russian troops are undergoing their Spring manoeuvres in the vicinity of Tashkent, in the Middle East.

German Troops

MAY GO VIA RUSSIA.

TO IRAN AND IRAQ.

I'Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Received May 21, 1.25 a.m.) WASHINGTON, May 20

The correspondent of the “New York Times” at Ankara says: Shipping circles here say that Germany is negotiating for the use of Russian ships on the Black Sea to carry war materials to Russian ports, for transshipment from there to Iran. “Germany is also believed to be seeking permission to ship troops and war materials across the Black Sea, and then across Caucasia to Iraq. “It is also reported, in Ankara, that Russia has agreed to relinquisn her share in the control of tne Danube River Delta on the Black Sea, in exchange for certain gains in the Middle East, and a warm water port on the Persian Gulf.

10,000 Germans

EN ROUTE TO IRAQ.

IS TURKEY COLLABORATING?

TOKIO, May 19.

According to a “Nichi Nichi” despatch from Istanbul, Turkey has given tacit consent to all German requests, including permission for Nazi troops' to cross Turkish territory into Iraq. Three Nazi ships, loaded with explosives and arms, have already left Constanza for Samsun, the Turkish port in the Black Sea, whence cargoes will be shipped through Turkey to Iraq, says the despatch. It is understood that a Nazi force, numbering approximately 10,000, will soon arrive at Samsun to , aid the Iraqis. GERMAN ’PLANES IN IRAQ. BELIEVED NOT TO BE NUMEROUS. fAus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Received Mav 20. 8.35 p.m.) LONDON, May 19. “The Times’s” Cairo correspondent says: The Vichy Government’s permission for Germans to use Syrian aerodromes caused a most painful impression among French troops in Syria. The French High Commissioner of Syria, Colonel Dentz, had no alternative, except to carry out the Vichy Government’s orders, if he did not wish to resign, but officers, and men of his army were disgusted' at the latest trucking to German de-; mands. The French air staff has withdrawn from Palmyra aerodrome, | along the pipeline, leaving it at the' disposal of the Germans.. It is not! believed in Cairo, that a large num-, ber of German ’planes have arrived in Iraq. 50 GERMAN 'PLANES. FLOWN TO IRAQ. (Received May 21, 1.25 a.m.) LONDON, May 20. It is reported from Cairo that about fifty German ’planes have hitherto traversed Syria to Iraq. Germans in Chios ISLANDERS REPORTED STARVING. [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, May 19. The correspondent of “The Times" at Istanbul, says that there is reported to be an unbearable situation on the island of Chios, off the coast of Turkey, opposite Smyrna, which was occupied by the Germans, following their drive into Greek territory. The correspondent says: Re-’ ports depict the islanders as starving, because the Germans requisitioned all livestock. Bread is unprocurable. The invaders also requisition-, ed beds, bed linen and blankets. Doors of houses must be left open at night. Despite the German warning that the islanders must not leave under pain of death, many are secretly reaching Turkey. - ~,:

’ GERMANS IN DAMASCUS.

[Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.j (Received May 21, 12.5 a.m.) LONDON, May 20.

According to an independent French News Agency, the Germans are erecting a radio station and an aeroplane repair shop in Damascus.