BALKAN STATES DISAGREE

Southland Times, Issue 23988, 1 December 1939, Page 8

BALKAN STATES DISAGREE

TREATY OF TRIANON HUNGARY AND RUMANIA HAVE SHARP EXCHANGE (Received November 30, 6.30 pan.) BUCHAREST, November 29. The Rumanian Foreign Minister (M. Grigore Gafencu), addressing the Foreign Affairs Commjttee, emphasized the justice of the Treaty of Trianon governing Hungarian-Rumanian relations. He said it was time that Hungary recognized this. He added that Rumania had striven to reach an understanding and had improved the welfare of the Hungarian minority. The Hungarian Foreign Minister (Count Stephen Csaky), replying to M. Gafencu, declared that Rumania was alone in her stubborn contention that the Treaty of Trianon had effected a just Rumanian-Hungarian settlement. He added that modification of the treaty ’ was not only urgently desirable for Hungary’s good, but necessary for the preservation of central European peace. The Budapest correspondent of The Times comments that this sharp exchange marks a definite change in Hungarian-Rumanian relationships, which hitherto have been maintained at least with a surface appearance of conciliation. BRITISH DEFENCE REGULATIONS SUBSTANTIAL AGREEMENT REACHED . (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, November 29. It is generally believed that as a result of modifications introduced after consultation with a committee representing all political parties, the new Defence Regulations announced yesterday will command substantial agreement. The modifications, which dispense with some of the more drastic powers conferred under the former regulations, illustrate the Government’s confidence in the people and, in certain respects, emphasize the extent of liberty permitted in war conditions. An example of the changes made is in the regulation making it an offence to endeavour to cause disaffection among those engaged in the King’s service. It has been altered by the substitution of the words “seduce from their duty,” since the original wording might cover legitimate propaganda designed to secure better conditions for dependents, and so on. The regulation relating to influencing public opinion also’was redrawn so as to apply only to the use made of false statements, documents or reports. The Home Secretary’s powers of detention, formerly broad, now are limited to “any person of hostile origin or associations and any -person who he has reasonable cause to believe was recently concerned in acts prejudicial to public safety or the defence of the realm.” * The provision enabling the Home Secretary to delegate the function prohibiting meetings to mayors, Justices of the Peace and police officers has been dropped. In fact, no action about meetings has been taken by the Home Secretary anywhere since the war. The power of arrest given to soldiers, sailors and airmen in uniform also has been considerably restricted and the regulation against sabotage specifically excludes strike activities. FRENCH PATROLS IN GERMANY VALUABLE INFORMATION OBTAINED PARIS, November 29. A French scouting patrol on the Bitche plateau advanced between one and two miles into Germany before encountering enemy outposts. It is reported that they brought back highly valuable information.