NEW BALKAN OUTLOOK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 April 1939, Page 5

NEW BALKAN OUTLOOK

OVERTURES BV RUMANIA READY TO ENTER PACT WITH BRITAIN. REPORTED OFFER TO BULGARIA. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, April 11. It is understood that the Rumanian Minister in London informed Lord Halifax that Rumania is willing to join a pact similar to that between Britain and Poland.

King Carol will confer with his Ministers today. Rumania is reported to be making an effort to persuade Bulgaria to join the Balkan Entente, even offering to cede the Dobruja territory which Rumania won in the Balkan War of 1913.

Hitherto Rumania has declared that she would not cede a foot of this territory, the dispute over which has kept Bulgaria out of the Balkan Entente, but the Italian invasion of Albania has caused a change of outlook in both Rumania and Bulgaria. THREAT RESENTED GREAT BRITAIN’S INTEREST IN BALKANS. AN ANTICIPATED WARNING. LONDON, April 10. According to “The Times," the British Government proposes to give Greece and Turkey assurances similar to those given to Poland. “Corfu comes first in the picture,” says the paper, “for any attempt on it would be serious to Britain and France and all who are concerned with maintaining freedom in the Mediterranean, but no threat to Greece or Turkey could leave Britain unmoved. “The Prime object of British diplomacy must be the promotion of every movement to unite the Balkans in a resolve to resist an attempt on the integrity of any one of those countries. Britain cannot disinterest herself in this part of the world; she has too much at stake in the eastern Mediterranean.” A The diplomatic correspondent' of “The Times” says it is clear Britain would regard as an unfriendly act any move by Italy or Germany against Turkey or Greece. Such a warning will probably be given on April 13, but whether in specific terms or as a formal unilateral assurance depends on previous diplomatic exchanges. Signor Mussolini’s contravention of the Anglo-Italian Agreement and of his personal assurances to Mr Chamberlain has aroused, very strong feeling among members of Cabinet.