EXTEND AXIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23326, 20 April 1939, Page 11

EXTEND AXIS

TALKS IN ROME / i HUNGARIAN LEADERS SUPPORT OF ITALY J GESTURE TO GERMANS By Tolegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Beceived April 19, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON. April 19 Signor Mussolini and his Foeeign Minister, Count Ciano, to-day received Count Paul Teleki and Count Csaky, Hungarian Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary respectively in Rome. It is reported that they have met to discuss the extent of Italy's support of Hungary's claims against Rumania. Italy is proposing an alignment of Hungary's policy with that of the axis powers in view of the growing strength of the peace front. The constitution of a "Volksbund" .of Germans,! in Hungary has been approved as a gesture of friendship to Germany, says the Budapest corres- . pondent of the Times. The leader, Dr. Franz Basch, demands privileges for the Germans in Hungary, numbering 700,000, similar to those sought by Herr Henlein for the Sudeten Germans last year. It is learned from a high Fascist source that Signor Mussolini has decided to ignpre President Roosevelt's message and leave Herr Hitler to reply for Italy and Germany, says the Rome correspondent of the British United Press.

VISIT TO BERLIN ) RUMANIAN MINISTER u SIMILARITY OF VIEWS" LATER LONDON DISCUSSIONS (Keceived April 19, '7.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 19 ' 'An official communique issued in Berlin after the meeting between Herr von Ribbentrop and the Rumanian Foreign Minister, Dr. Gafencu, stated: "The course of the conversation was conducted in a spirit of friendship, and far-reaching similarity of views on questions concerning the two countries was ascertained." >- Herr von Ribbentrop, proposing the health of Dr. Gafencu at a dinner last evening, said: "I am convinced our conversation > will contribute toward extending and deepening the friendly relations existing between our two peoples." The Bucharest correspondent of the Times says the economic reinforcement of the western Powers' guarantee to Rumania, including the question of military supplies, is likely to be the main topic during Dr. Gafencu's discussions in London. Apparently, there has been an emphatic assurance of Turkish support in the event of <a Bulgarian attack on the Dobruja territory of Rumania, the correspondent adds.

MISSION TO RUMANIA ADVISER AND OFFIOIALB (Received April 19, 8.15 p.m.) feritish Wireless LONDON, April 18 Arrangements have been made for the British mission headed by Sir ■Frederick Leith-Ross, chief economic adviser to the British Government, to arrive in Rumania on Monday. Sir Frederick will be accompanied by officials of the Board of Trade, the Export Credits Guarantee Department, the Treasury, the Anglo-Rumanian Clearing Office and the Department of .Overseas Trade.

NEED BX)R VIGILANCE NEW FRENCH DECREES * ; PARIS, April IS After hearing statements by the Prime Minister, M. Daladier, and the Foreign Minister, M. Bonnet, insisting on the need for vigilance, the Fr.eneh Cabinet passed decrees dealing with munitions, petroleum and importing 0 companies a,nd also decided to increase the power of the Tunis radio station.

CLOSE COLLABORATION FINLAND AND SWEDEN 1 ■ -- EELSINGFORS, April 18 The Finnish Defence Minister states that intimate, collaboration exists between Sweden and Finland regarding defence in the event of attack.

£ PRAYERS FOR PEACE r ' ORDER TO CATHOLICS LONDON. April 18 >1 English and Welsh Roman Catholic prelates have ordered special prayers to bo offered/ for peace and also the reading in all churches of a statement denouncing the rule of violence in the world, and warning members of "cer- - tain secret societies which are among the causes of unrest that they will incur excommunication.This is taken to refer to the Irish Republican Army.

EXPULSION ORDERED I 1 ENGLISH JOURNALIST 7. Independent Cable Service / . BERLIN. April 18 Nazis have ordered the expulsion of tie News Chronicle's Berlin correspond®nt, Mr. T. H. Harrison, within a fortBight, on the ground that he misrepresents facts.

JEWISH CITIZENS ,/ BUDAPEST'S NEW BILL BUDAPEST, April 18 The Hun garian Upper House to-day passed the second reading of the Jewish 'CRislation. Amendments exempt J"etfs tfh° have been christened 20 years and wiosq distinguished war services.