THE AIMS OF RUSSIA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 290, 8 December 1939, Page 7

THE AIMS OF RUSSIA

WAR IN THE BALKANS TURKEY GIVEN A WARNING “SHADOWS” OF COMING EVENTS [ l By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) Received Dec. 7, 8.40 p.m., LONDON, Dec. 6. Coming events may be casting shadows before them, says The Times, referring to an article tn the Communist International. A further article warns the Turks against being involved in British and French designs to extend the war to the Balkans to form an anti-German front there. The similarity of this article and the one appearing on December 5 in the Voelkischer Beobachter threatening Asia Minor with a Russian invasion, suggests close collaboration between Moscow and Berlin. The Communist international article warning Turkey also declares that owing to the rapprochement between Turkish ruling classes and British and French Imperialists, Turkey’s independence is now seriously threatened. It adds: "No matter how responsible Turkish circles may try to embellish their pact with Britain and France, they cannot alter the fact that Turkey concluded a mutual assistance pact with belligerent Imperialistic Powers, and thereby entered the arena of war. ITALY CANNOT AID RUMANIA STRENGTHENING OF HUNGARY. Received Dec. 7, 11.30 p.m. NEW YORK, Dec. 7. The New York Times Rome correspondent says that Italy cannot be expected to aid Rumania in the event of Russian attack. It is not vital to the Italian sphere like Hungary and Yugoslavia. Italy might be content in helping Hungary to strengthen her face to Russia, whereupon Hungary would try and seize Transylvania, after which much would depend on Germany’s attitude and the extent of the Allies’ aid. to Rumania. Italy would have to defend her interests on the Rumanian line, saying to Russia, “so far, no further.” The New York Times Budapest correspondent says that the general, and probably the correct, assumption in the Balkans if the Soviet strongly dei manded Bessarabia and Rumania would be to surrender it. Turkey and Yugoslavia will not, it is said, assist Rumania merely to retain Bessarabia. The danger is more extensive demands backed up with threats. Germany is over-ready to share in a general partition. In such case a clue to the future would remain with Italy. NAZI AMBASSADOR IN TURKEY INTERVIEW WITH FOREIGN MINISTER. Received Dec. 8. 12.10 a.m. LONDON, Dec. 7. Reuter’s Istanbul correspondent reports that Herr von Papen, Nazi Ambassador to Turkey, sought an iZgent interview with M. Sarajoglu, Turkish Foreign Minister. The talk lasted 30 minutes but nothing has been disclosed. “RUMANIA WILL DEFEND HERSELF” : FULL EFFORT TO REMAIN NEUTRAL. I NO TERRITORIAL CONCESSIONS. Received Dec. 8, 12.10 a.m, BUCHAREST, Dec. 7. Replying to the Communist International article, official circles declare that Rumania is ready to examine any proposals in keeping with her neutrality, but would not make territorial concessions, or compromise her independence. “If Rumania is attacked she will certainly defend herself,” it is stated. SHORTAGE OF RAIL-CARS HANDICAP TO GERMANY. . Received Dec. 7, 11.55 p.m. NEW YORK, Dec. 7. The New York Times Bucharest representative says that because of a shortage ol railcars, Germany cannot fully take advantage of the recent Rumanian - Russian - German agreement opening the railway between Rumania and Germany through Russia. Instead of live, only three trains pass daily, each of 45 instead of 60 cars. Germany bought thousands of carloads of apples in June. Only one-third have been exported and most are rotten. British and German competition to hire Danube barges continues and neither has obtained a majority.