IN THE BALKANS

Hokitika Guardian, 18 September 1940, Page 5

IN THE BALKANS

. QUEEN HELEN : RECEIVES GREAT WELCOME • (United Press Association Per Electric Telegraph Copyright)* ’ LONDON, September 15. Cheering , crowds greeted Queen Helen'- when she di;ove with her son, King Alichael from the station at Bucharest to the Royal Palace, after her son had met her at the Jugoslav frontier, and had ridden with her on the train. .

Supporting the soldiers lining the route were, 1500 of the reinstated Iron Chard. Girls in national costume strewed flowers along the route.. After their triumphal drive their Majesties attended a Te flenm in the cathedral. General Antoneseu was also pres'ent. Bucharest citizens fell.on ,their knees in the streets while a prayer for the future of the nation was broadcast. It is now revealed that General Antonescu had intended to form a Rational government, including Liberal and Peasant Party representatives, but they refused when they heard that the Iron Guard was to hfive a majority. OCCUPATION OF TRANSYLVANIA, ' LONDON, September 15. Tlie Regent of Hungary (Admiral Horthy) yesterday entered Cluj, marking' the climax of the Hungarian occupation' of Transylvania. A crowd of 100,000 took part in a triumphal procession through thefowti,' and"''the whole day was given over to festivities, Hungary .completed occupation, of the ceded territory on Friday and the area is now under a military governorship by the Chief of the General Staff.

Y SOVIET DEMANDS. LONDON, September 17. The Soviet is., insisting on. the recognition of .the .Baltic States' as part of the .Soviet Union,-, before negotiating a, comprehensive . trade, pace jyjth. Britain; f V-h V" ' The . “Financial News” points ~>out that, the problem revolves .around the question of the release of gpl.d to; the 'former! Estonian, Lithuanian, and'LatyialKCentraT Banks',• ■•impounded in. London,- and tlie release of Estonian and ' Latvian 1 ships 1 'how. hekL' in l . British ports. J It is understood th<at-* the ’Foreign Secretary(Lord 'Halifax) proposed to the Soviet Ainl}a£sadoi\, (M. Alaisky) that, if the question of YE*' sovereignty of the Baltic States were left in; abeyance, - the • value ..of: .the *: Baltic.- States gold and British' olaims-against those countries could be Regarded as cancelling each other .'out.' Tf the Soviet agreed to general trade talks,, an amicable arrangement could be reached .regarding the. detained ships. .. , . YftA;, Negotiations are believed to be continuing,' but' the prospects of an early agreement are" not ■considered rosy.