CRISIS IN BALKANS

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21036, 12 February 1940, Page 7

CRISIS IN BALKANS

SEIZED SHIPYARDS TURKEY REJECTS PROTEST NAZI PLOTTINGS (United Press Assn.— Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Feb. 10 According to reliable sources Turkey will reject the protest which it is understood Herr von Papen, German Ambassador, has been instructed to make concerning the seizure of the Krupp shipyards at the Golden Horn. Tne only explanation forthcoming from Turkish official quarters of the seizure is the cryptic, “Spring is coming.” It is expected that the seizure of other German property will follow.

It is also learned that hundreds of German experts employed in Turkey will be discharged and sent to Germany. These include technicians at factories, advisers to the Government, professors in Istanbul University and at the Ankara Agricultural College. Germans have always been numerous all over Turkey. They had almost a monopoly of some businesses until the outbreak of the war. The number of dismissals from Krupps’ shipyards is 20. Network of Nazi Agents Tension in the Balkans has heightened. Turkey has discovered evidence of a network of Nazi agents ready to perpetrate explosions and train wrecks at a signal from Berlin. It is impossible to allow Germans to remain at strategic positions. It is alleged that German agents caused an explosion in the steamer Tintern Abbey on January 30. The spokesman for the Governor of Istanbul, however, denied that Germans were ordered to leave Turkey. Nazi Suspicions Germany regards the affair as a trade matter between the Krupp shipyards and the Turkish Government. The German view is that the technicians were not dismissed but were forced to cease work because of lack of materials from Germany. An apparently inspired article in the Turkish press referring to the review of troops at Heliopolis by the French commander, General Weygand, says the Allies have counted the possibility of a Russian attack across the Balkans toward the Dardanelles. The Turkish armies will give adequate support to the defending forces. It is said in Istanbul that Germany regards the Turkish move as inspired by Britain and France and another attempt to broaden the conflict.

Elaborate preparations have been completed to provide Russian oil for the German war machine. With Bulgaria’s help Baku oil will be sent from the Caspian to Batum. The oil then will be shipped across the Black Sea and unloaded at the Bulgarian port of Yarna. The Bulgarian State railways then will carry it to Ruscuk, from where it will reach Germany via the Danube.