Not Letting Grass Grow Under Her Feet

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 96, 26 April 1939, Page 5

Not Letting Grass Grow Under Her Feet

GERMANY IN RUMANIA Roccived Tuesday, 8.15 p.m. BUCHAREST, April 24. Simultaneous with the arrival of the Sir Alexander Leith Ross financial and trade delegation, Germany is exerting pressure for the early application of tho ltumanian-German agreement. Although not operative until a month after ratification, Germany is seeking a provisional application immediately, greatly embarrassing officials and businessmen. Two delegations of German businessmen have arrived and others are due shortly. Sir Alexander Leith Ross, in an interview, said the delegation was primarily the result of King Carol’s initiative after his London visit. The chief aim is to obtain increased reciprocal trade and smooth out financial and technical difficulties. He added that an increase in imports from Rumania should not interfere with Empire commitments as London was a free market. RUMANIA APPREHENSIVE REPLY TO GERMAN QUERY Received Tuesday, 0.2 0 p.m. LONDON, April 25. Reuter has learned that Rumania replied to Herr Hitler that it is difficult to answer whether she feels threatened as she has no common boundary with the Reich. She expresses the opinion that tho answer is best supplied by Germany herself, but Rumania does regard the general situation in Europe with apprehension. Greece, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria replied negatively to Herr Hitler’s question.

Egypt is believed to have replied that, while she is deeply interested in safeguarding her independence and integrity, she would naturally welcome a non-aggression undertaking. Brussels reports that Cabinet has decided to ask the Belgian Parliament for special powers excluding any modification of the monetary statute. Norway has replied in tho negative to the German questionnaire and points out that her organised defences prtrtect her neutrality in the event of war. Norway and Denmark, in reply to Herr Hitler, said they did not consider Ihemsclves threatened. Secondly, they state that they did not authorise President Booysevelt to use their names.

Mr. Koht, Foreign Minister for Norway, adds: ‘ ‘Norway, of course, knows in case of a general war the country would be in danger.”