SOVIET MOVE AGAINST MIDDLE EAST RUMANIANS CONFER SOVIET DEMANDS ON FINLAND BRITAIN AND ITALY CZECH REPUBLIC BEING FORTIFIED BRITAIN AND SOVIET TO CRUSH HITLER CONTRABAND

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 256, 30 October 1939, Page 7

SOVIET MOVE AGAINST MIDDLE EAST

RUMANIANS CONFER

SOVIET DEMANDS ON FINLAND

BRITAIN AND ITALY

CZECH REPUBLIC

BEING FORTIFIED

BRITAIN AND SOVIET

TO CRUSH HITLER

CONTRABAND

BELIEF HELD IN EGYPT INVASION OF IRAN THOUGHT LIKELY RUSSIA WOULD MEET TREMENDOUS RESISTANCE I British Official Wireless ] Received Vet. 29, 6.30 p.m. NEW YORK. Oct. 28. The Cairo correspondent of the New York Tinies states: "It is generally believed here that the Soviet is preparing to Bolshevise the Middle East. This opinion is based on the large concentration of troops at Baku. The Russian belief is that the East, with its semi-feudal system, lends itself readily to Bolshevisation. It is believed that as a pretest for the. invasion of Iran, the Soviets will ask for an outlet in the Persian Gulf. Refusal is expected, and with Turkey aloof it is improbable that the Iranian army will be able to Resist long. Thus the entire Middle East, including India, will be endangered. “But Russia would be disagreeably surprised if she. embarked on Ihe campaign. Besides tremendous resistance by the Allies, despite their preoccupation in the West, she would face the resistance of the entire population of the Middle Eastern countries. Iran. Iraq and Afghanistan are over 90 per cent. Moslem, and there are also 80,000,000 Moslems in India—all bitter foes of Communism on religious grounds. “The benefits with which the Soviet may intend to bribe the natives are insufficient to compensate for the fear that the Soviets will abolish Islam. No Ogpu and no wholesale shootings can force devout Moslems to submit to Communism.'’

ALLIED-TURKISH PACT POSSIBILITY OF FORMING NEUTRAL BLOC Received Oct. 29, 6.30 p.m. LONDON, Oct. 28. It is reported, from Rome that the Rumanian envoys recalled from Ankara and from Belgrade, conferred with King Carol and leading Ministers on the effect of the British-French-Turkish pact, the possibility of forming a neutral bloc in South-East Europe, and relations between the Balkans and adjacent Powers. MOLOTOV TO SPEAK IMPORTANT DECISION TO BE ANNOUNCED. Received Oct. 29, 6.30 p.m. ROME. Oct. 28. A radio announces that M. Molotov is addressing an extraordinary meeting of the Supreme Soviet Council at Moscow on October 31, when he will ■ review the international situation, and I adds that an important decision will I be announced after the meeting.

FAR-REACHING NATURE Received Oct. 29, 7 p.rn. HELSINKI, Oct. 28. The Finnish Minister, M. Tanner, who has just returned from Moscow, interviewed, revealed the far-reach-ing nature of the Soviet’s proposals, when he said that a five-sixths majority in Parliament would be necessary for their acceptance. Such a majority is required only for constitutional changes or when an emergency does not permit a referendum. The Inner Cabinet studied the proposals overnight.

TRADE COMMISSION PERMANENT ARRANGEMENT Received Oct. 28, 5.5 p.m. RUGBY, Oct. 27. An agreement providing for the establishment of a permanent mixed Commission to regulate commercial affairs between Britain and Italy is intended to facilitate arrangements to cover the whole field of commercial relations between the two countries. For several years trade between Italy and Britain has been conducted on the basis of a clearing agreement but by the appointment of a permanent Commission it is hoped to provide a more convenient basis for trade which, in the case of Italy, has long been under State control. " Under war conditions control boards of al) kinds have had to be set up in Britain too. and the mixed Commission should prove a valuable addition to the machinery of economic exchange betwen the two countries.

CELEBRATIONS DESPITE GERMAN BAN. Received Oct. 29, 6.30 p.m. LONDON, Oct. 28. The Exchange Telegraph’s Amsterdam correspondent reports that the Gestapo have taken special precautionary measures throughout Bohemia and Moravia on the anniversary of the creation of the Czech Republic. The Czech National Committee appealer to all Czechs to commemorate the anniversary by wearing black ties and abstaining from alcohol and tobacco. The British United Press Prague representative says that despite the German ban, Czechs variously observed the anniversary. Several clashed with lhe police, resulting in many arrests.

GERMAN-SOVIET FRONTIER Received Oct. 29, 7.30 p.m. CERNAUTI, Oct. 28. Sappers are erecting fortifications all along the German-Soviet frontier. Russian troops are concentrating in East Galicia, particularly at Kolomyja. The concentrations extend to Sniatyn.

ESTATES IN WESTERN UKRAINE Received Oct. 29. 6.35 p.ni. LONDON, Oct. 28. The Moscow correspondent of the British United Press says a resolution legalising all land belonging to the monasteries, also estates of former landlords and former officials, was adopted by the National Assembly of Western Ukraine. LITHUANIAN TROOPS ENTER VILNA Received Oct. 29, 6.30 p.m. KAUNAS, Oct. 28. Lithuanian troops have formally entered Vilna, which becomes Lithuanian.

POSSIBLE EXTENSION OE TRADE ( British Official Wireless J RUGBY, Oct. 29. Recent statements by Mr. Stanley and Lord Halifax, have witnessed to Britain's desire for any practicable extension of trading exchanges between Britain and Russia, and it was indicated that the possibility of further agreements on the lines of that recently concluded with the Soviet, were under examination. It is understood that there have been contacts in this connection between Mr. Stanley and the Soviet Ambassador in London. The discussions have been of a preliminary character and will be continued.

BRITISH WORKERS’ AIM REPLY TO PROPAGANDA. LONDON, Oct. 27. The deputy leader of the Opposition I (Mr. Arthur Greenwood), in a stateiment on behalf of the Labour Party, | with Mr. C. R. Attlee’s authority, says 1 that intense resentment has been I created in British Labour circles over I propaganda in neutral countries alleging that British workers are unwilling to fight and are anxious for peace. 1 “The workers of Britain," says Mr. Greenwood, “are firmly and unalterably determined to end for ever the system of organised gangsterism which has kept Europe in a turmoil for years. “British Labour has accepted the challenge thrown down by Hitler, and, although outside the Government, it is using every endeavour to [strengthen its intention of finally crushing Hitlerism. It is supported in this endeavour by the Labour movements of the Dominions."

DEPUTY ( HAIRMA.V OF COMMITTEE. I British Official Wireless ] RUGBY, Oct. 27. Mr. Justice Morton has accepted the post of deputy chairman of the Contraband Committee established by the Ministry of Economic Warfare. The function of this committee, of which Lord Finlay is the chairman, is to decide whether the cargoes of ships calling at British contraband cargo bases are to be detained as suspected contraband or released. On an average the committee deals ■ with about 30 ships a week.