IN THE BALKANS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 12 January 1940, Page 5

IN THE BALKANS

POST WAR REVISION OF TERRITORIES BASIS OF ITALIAN-HUNGARIAN PACT RUMANIA STUDIES COST [U.P.A.— By Electric Telegrapb-Copyngftt] (Received 12th January, 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, llth January. The Bucharest correspondent of “The Times” says that Rumania whole-heartedly approves of the Italian and Hungarian efforts for peace in south-eastern Europe, but is not prepared to buy it at the cost of territorial concessions to Russia, Hungary or Bulgaria. It is authoritatively stated that the Italian-Hungarian agreement is based on acceptance of an Italian plan for post-war revision of territories in the Balkans under which Rumania would cede purely her Hungarian and Bulgarian frontier districts and adjust the mixed regions either by a plebiscite or by transfer. One result of the talks last week at Venice between the Italian and Hungarian Foreign Ministers has been revealed by the Rome radio. It states that Italy has agreed to send military aid to Hungary if she is threatened by a Soviet invasion. This is not official but is said to be given on good authority. Hungary has agreed for the present to drop her claim against Rumania for the return of Transylvania, the reason being the more immediate menace from the Soviet, though this is not considered acute so long as Finland holds out. Italy, the Rome radio claims, is now organising the Balkans. Referring to her policy of neutrality, the station says that Italy was increasing her strength in order to be strong enough to keep out of war. Italy was not neutral, but had refrained from taking military action. —By radio. OFFICIALLY DENIED (Received 12th January, 10.10 a.m.) ROME, llth January. The Rome radio report that Italy has agreed militarily to assist Hungary is officially denied. EXPULSION OF JEWS SEIZURE OF POSSESSIONS POLAND AND GERMANY AMSTERDAM, 10th January. The “Handelsblad's” Berlin correspondent says that 650,000 Jews have been forcibly expelled from the Possri (Poland), West Prussian, and Danzig districts, and sent to Warsaw and Lubin after the seizure of their possessions. They are suffering severe privations and few have received clothing ration cards. It is believed that a similar let awaits Jews throughout Germany. Those irt Frankfurt-on-Order have been ordered to Lublin, and 6000 German craftsmen and their families are replacing the Posen and West Prussian Jews. A new decree has been issued in Berlin under which every Polish Jew is compelled to give two years’ labour service. He will not be paid, but must live with and be supported by his family.—By radio. HEINKEL BOMBER SURPRISED ATTACKING BRITISH CARGO VESSELS x PURSUED BY SPITFIRES (Received 12th January, 9.0 a.m) . LONDON, llth January. Three Spitfires surprised a Heinkel bomber attacking three British cargo vessels off the Norfolk coast. The Heinkel dropped a salvo from 50 feet but all the bombs missed. It fled eastwards and was pursued by the Spitfires for 40 miles, being last seen with its port engine disabled and smoke pouring from its port wing. THREE SERGEANTS ON PATROL [British Official Wireless] (Received 12th January, 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, llth January. In connection with the action by three Royal Air Force aircraft against a German raider which was attacking a British merchantman in the North Sea this morning, the three pilots were all sergeants and were on patrol off the Norfolk coast in their Spitfire fighters. When they sighted the Heinkel bomber circling fifty feet above the ship each fighter in turn fired bursts as the enemy skimmed almost at sea level. One British pilot swerving round from the attack could see the bullets of another Spitfire hitting the Heinkel. When the enemy was iast seen the pro_ peller of the port engine was turning slowly and smoke was coming from the port wing. THREE SHIPS SUNK (Received 12th January, 10.40 a.m.) LONDON, llth January. Forty members of a crew were landed oh the west coast after their ship sank as the result of a collision. Two other steamers, one is believed to have been Italian, were mined off the east coast. GERMAN STEAMER SINKS (Received 12th January, 10.40 a.m.) COPENHAGEN, llth January. A trawler rescued 62 members of the crew when the Bahia Blanca was attempting to run the blockade. The vessel was previously erroneously reported captured by a cruiser. The German steamer Axel, laden with food, sank after a collision with a patrol ship near Keil. The crew Were saved. GERMAN ATTITUDE ATTACKS HAILED AS FEAT OF ARMS BERLIN, 10th January. The German Press halls attacks on ships as a new feat of arms. It recounts Six attacks on the Anglo-Scot-tish coast and the sinking of 15,000 tons. It declares that in all cases the ships opened fire first, thus proving that the whole British merchant service have become pirates. DENMARK INDIGNANT COPENHAGEN, 10th January. Denmark is indignant over attacks on two of her merchantmen, Feddy and Invakondrup, and will protest to Berlin very strongly. Newspapers emphasise that both ships clearly displayed the Danish flag

illuminated by a searchlight. Denmark will demand full compensation for damage and wounded and for dependents of the Feddy’s engineer. Newspapers deny German charges that the ships were armed and convoyed. NAZI PATROL SHIP SUNK CREW OF 70 PERISH [U.P.A.—By Electric Telegraph-Copyright] COPENHAGEN, 10th January. Wreckage on the Jutland coast reveals that the German patrol ship M 132 sunk. The crew of 70 perished.