Movements Near Soviet Territory

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21992, 18 June 1941, Page 5

Movements Near Soviet Territory

May be Part of Nazi Drive to Egypt Report of Secret Tripartite Pact By Telegraph—Press Association—Copytlghl (Rec. 12.58 a.m.) NEW YORK, June 17. THE "New York Daily News’* learns exclusively that German troops are being poised for a drive across Persia and Syria to Egypt and are already moving to the Black Sea and Russian Georgia. This step signals the completion of a Japanese, Russian and German deal whereby the Reich bought the entrance to the Near East and Africa for a promise to construct a giant new system of railways in southern Russia. Details of a secret tripartite agreement which gives Sweden to Germany, and Finland and Manchukuo to Russia were submitted to a State Department spokesman, who said that it was in harmony with the Department’s own reports and authorised its publication. The "New York Times’’ says it is officially announced that Russia and Japan have agreed to fix the Manchukuo and Outer Mongolia border, which hitherto has been very vague and has caused repeated border incidents. The new border will be negotiated by Russian and Japanese Commissions, commencing work oh June 27. The agreement is regarded as evidence of the improved relations between the two countries.

According to a message from London I Germany la demanding from Russia full control of the Ukraine and the passage of German troops across Caucasia from which she could dominate the Russian oilfields and refineries and menace Iraq and Iran, says the diplomatic correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph." The Germans are not interested in securing a negotiated settlement, preferring to Impose their will by employing an idle army which ' would seek to knock out Russia before British and United States strength was truly formidable. German pressure on Turkey has greatly Increased. Hitler wishes to

“take Turkey cold” and is mixing threats with cajolery. Reports of heightening RussianGerman. tension 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. Another report from Stockholm states that German shipping has been recalled from the Baltic and that the Soviet Baltic Fleet is "in a state of alarm.” . Army manoeuvres are continuing in the M<*cow district, artillery, armoured care, and motor-cycle units taking part.