GROWING ITALIAN INFLUENCE IN BALKANS

Horowhenua Chronicle, 16 October 1939, Page 3

GROWING ITALIAN INFLUENCE IN BALKANS

TEARS OF RUSSIAN ACTION DIFFICULTIES OF RUMANIAN OIL TRANSPORT By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright Received Sunday, 9.20 p.m. The New York Times' Belgrade correspondent saj's those in well-informed circles believe Italy will soon have more important economic relations with the Balkans. An Italian trade mission was expected at Belgrade on Saturday. Yugoslavia has been reserved recently concerning the Italian-Hungarian-Yugoslav front, fearing it might be a manoeuvre against the Balkan Entente. T' Italian Minister gave an assurance to Yugoslavia that Italy does not intend disturbing the Entente. Apparently fears that Russia may turn on the Balkans, at least diplomatically, is drawing Yugoslavia closer to Italy. Simultaneously it is stated without confirmation that the Soviet is cool towards the proposed reopening of Russian-Yugoslav diplomatic relations. The New York Times' Bucharest correspondent says the physical difficulties of Danubian transport are likely to slow up Rumanian shipments [of oil and grain to Germany. Before the war 26 per cent, of the oil exports were transported on the Danube and 4 per cent, on the railways, but the Danube is difficult, firstly because there are few Rumanian tankers, and, secondly, becase the river is frozen for 130 days yearly. The railroads are unprepared and unequipped for the increased oil transport, having only 8000 tanker trucks with a total capacity of 109,000 tons, and are mostly used in the interior. It is believed the next six months will show diminishing oil exports to Germany.