BALKAN STATES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23940, 16 October 1939, Page 8

BALKAN STATES

MOVE BY ITALY EXPECTED ECONOMIC RELATIONS MISSION TO VISIT BELGRADE (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegr ph—Copyright) NEW YORK, Oct. 14. (Received Oct. 15, at 9 p.m.) The Belgrade correspondent of the New York Times says those in wellinformed circles believe that Italy will soon have more important economic relations with the Balkans. An Italian trade mission is expected at Belgrade on October 14. Jugoslavia has been reserved recently concerning the Italian-Hungarian-Jugoslav front, fearing that it might be a manoeuvre against the Balkan Entente. The Italian Minister gave an assurance to Jugoslavia that Italy does not intend to disturb the Entente. She apparently fears that Russia may turn on the Balkans, at least diplomatically, drawing Jugoslavia closer to Italy. Simultaneously, it is stated without confirmation that the Soviet is cool towards the proposed reopening of Russian and Jugoslav diplomatic relations. COMMUNISTS IN AMERICA SECRETS GIVEN TO SOVIET WASHINGTON, Oct. 13. Maurice Malkin, a member of the United States Communist Party, testified before the Dies Committee that the party has the nuclei in the Brooklyn Naval Yard of one of the largest United States transmitters of secret information to the Soviet. It had operated for years through an O.G.P.U. agent located in New York in the same way as information was transmitted relating to industrial plants. Malkin testified that the Communist Party employed many New York gangsters such as “Lacklegs Diamond to eliminate recalcitrant persons or groups blocking Communist infiltration. The party did its utmost to promote strikes, particularly on the West Coast among the maritime workers, where it played a predominant role. BRITISH MUSLIMS LOYALTY A SACRED DUTY (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, Oct. 14, (Received Oct. 15, at 8 p.m.) It is well known that among the most devout Muslims those of Malaya are to be numbered. This is borne out by a description published in the Malay Tribune of the Muslim’s duty in the present crisis. “ Especially from a religious point of view,” the article states, “ British Muslims’ loyalty to King and country is a sacred duty.” The president of the Selangor Malay Association said “ The Muslims of the world, who are our brothers, are behind Great Britain.” AMERICAN NAVY REOPENING OF KEY WEST WASHINGTON, Oct. 14. (Received Oct. 15, at 6.30 p.m.) The Navy Department has announced the reopening on November 1 of the Key West station, which was closed in 1930. The department declined to explain the reason for this, but it is presumed that it is designed to strengthen the neutral ity patrol operations off the southeastern seaboard and also in the Caribbean area. NAZI PLANES SHOT DOWN FRENCH AIRMAN’S FEAT PARIS, Oct. 13. The Paris correspondent of The Times states that a French airman, diving in succession on three Messerschmidts which were about to land at an aerodrome, crashed them all. A reconnaissance machine In the charge of a pilot and observer encountered three enemy planes which killed the pilot and twice wounded the observer, who, before he died, managed to land behind the French lines with photographs intact. Germans attacked and set fire to a third reconnaisseur and killed the observer as he parachuted to earth. The pilot landed the machine in his own lines and saved the photographs, despite severe burns. COASTAL PATROL SLOOPS AUSTRALIA BUILDING FOUR MELBOURNE, Oct. 14. The Minister of Defence (Mr G. A. Street) announced that four small 700-ton coastal patrol sloops of modern design would be built in Australia for coastal patrol, minesweeping. and anti-submarine services. It was expected that the vessels would be completed within the vear. CANADIAN CONTINGENT LEAVING FOR ENGLAND SOON OTTAWA, Oct. 14. (Received Oct. 15, at 11.30 p.m.) Infonned circles state that the first overseas division of 16,000 men will go to England within two months to complete their training. They will spend the winter in England. TRADES UNION RESOLUTION DEFENCE OF LIBERTIES PARIS, Oct. 14. (Received Oct. 15, at 9 p.m.) The International Federation of Trades Unions declared unity with British and French workers in defending human liberties against totalitarian aggression. “Peace is visible only on the basis of restoration, of the guarantee of the rights of nations and peoples. Hitler’s cynical proposals offer no prospects of this.” Sir Walter Citrine presided and Mr George Hicks, a member of the House of Commons, attended.