GERMAN DEAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23994, 18 June 1941, Page 7

GERMAN DEAL

RUSSIA AND JAPAN MIDDLE EAST DRIVE REPORT IN NEW YORK (Rerd. 12.15 a.m.) NEW YORK, June IT The New York Daily News learns exclusively that German troops are poised for a drive across Persia and Syria to Egypt, and are already moving in the Black Sea and Russian Georgia. This stop signals the completion of a Japanese - Russian - German deal by which the, Reich bought entrance to the Near East and Africa for a promise to construct a giant new system of railways in southern Russia. Details of the secret Tripartite agreement, which gives Sweden to Germany and Finland and Manchukuo to Russia, were submitted to the spokesman of the State Department, who said it was iu harmony with the department's own reports, and authorised its publication.

MANCHUKUO BORDER RUSSO-JAPANESE ACCORD (Reed. 10.15 p.m.) NEW YORK, June 17 The New York Times says it i.s officially stated that Russia and Japan have agreed to fix the ManchukuoOuter Mongolia border, which has hitherto been only very vague and has caused repeated border incidents. The new border will be negotiated by Russo-Japanese commissions, which will commence work on .June 27. The agreement is regarded as evidence of improved relations.

SOVIET AND NAZIS MORE REPORTS OF TENSION LONDON, June 17 Reports of heightening tension between Russia and Germany are still being received from all parts of Europe. They include one report from Ankara that Russia has declared general mobilisation and has cancelled army leave, and another from Stockholm stating that German shipping has been recalled from the Baltic, and that the Soviet Baltic Fleet is "in a state of alarm." Germany is demanding from Russia full control of the Ukraine and the passage of German troops across Caucasia, from which they can dominate Russian oilfields and refineries and menace Trak and Iran, say l - the Daily Telegraph's diplomatic correspondent. The Germans are not interested in securing a negotiated settlement, preferring to impose their will, thus employing their idle army, which would seek to knock out Russia before British and United States strength was truly formidable. German pressure on Turkey has been greatly increased. Hitler wishes to "take Turkey cold," and is mixing threats with cajolery. FUNDS FOR HIGHWAYS WASHINGTON, Jnne 17 The Senate has passed a measure providing 250,000,000 dollars for defence highways nnd access roads to military and naval reservations.