RUSSIAN BREACH WITH HUNGARY

Southland Times, Issue 23735, 6 February 1939, Page 7

RUSSIAN BREACH WITH HUNGARY

DIPLOMATIC LINKS BROKEN “VASSAL OF ROME-BERLIN AXIS” (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Received February 4, 6.30 p.m.) MOSCOW, February 3. It is officially announced that the Soviet has severed diplomatic relations with Hungary because Hungary has joined the Anti-Comintern Pact. The Soviet is closing its legation at Budapest and is asking Hungary to close its legation at Moscow. Explaining the severance, the official Soviet news agency says: “As a result of the Munich agreement Hungary has lately been subjected to strong pressure by certain States, to which she has too easily yielded, thereby . losing her independence. The decision to join the Anti-Comintern Pact is not justified by the Hungarian State’s interests, which do not coincide with the aggressive aims of the other signatories of the pact, especially Japan. The decision, consequently, was thrust on Hungary from outside. This state of affairs no longer justifies direct diplomatic relations between Russia and Hungary, which can be maintained in future through a representative of the two governments in the capital of some third State.”

Soviet circles emphasize the distinction made between the other signatories of the pact and Hungary, “because the others are still independent States.” “Hungary, as . a mere vassal of the Rome-Berlin axis, does not deserve full diplomatic status,” says the official news agency.