STOP PRESS

Evening Star, Issue 23375, 19 September 1939, Page 14

STOP PRESS

ITALY’S PROBLEM. NEW YORK. Sept. 18. —The Rome eorrer-’.imli'nt of the ‘ New York Time- ' -ays Daly is so steeled ill her neutrality that even the Russian invasion of Roland is without the slightest outward effect. Yet it is certain that it has added to the country’s grave anxieties regarding her ability to remain neutral, for it. now seems clear that the war will quickly roach the Balkans. Already it is authoritatively reported that the Germans arc massing troops on the SlovakRumanian border, and no one will he surprised if Rumania is invaded very shortly. It is now taken for granted that England and France will declare war on Russia. It is also felt that Turkey will find the gravest difficulties in maintaining her alliance with England. It is highly doubtful is even the Rus-sian-German invasion of Rumania, with the Soviet seizing Bessarabia, will alter Italy’s . firm decision to stay out of the war. The ‘ Now York Times 1 Rome correspondent says that it and when Yugoslavia and Hungary are brought into the .ever-widening war flood Italy’s position will be extraordinarily difficult. It is against every historical tradition that Italy should countenance Gernian-Rus-sian penetration of the Balkans, but the fact remains that the Axis is still in official existence, tfnd it is inconceivable that Italy would attack Germany now. Italians feel that the Russian move represents another bitter blow to the Allies, and do not see how they arc going to wage a war against the Soviet. They sec virtually the whole European Continent, except France,

either warring with the Allies or helplessly neutral, and believe the Allies aro now going to face the gigantic, if not hopeless, task of blockading the whole Continent.

CLUTHA DREDGE OPERATIONS Clutha River Gold Dredging Limited reports that the dredge has now moved up the river above the Alexandra bridge and is operating on the Molyneux Company’s claim. The dredge has recovered 105 oz for 182 hours’ below the bridge, and 260 z for 83 hours’ work above the bridge. STOCK EXCHANGE. Sale reported: -1 per cent. Stock (1943-46), £9B. On ’change: Commercial Bank, 14s 6d (2). WARSAW REFUSES TO surrender: Tho Lord Mayor of Warsaw has issued a proclamation stating that the capital would not surrender. Warsaw has again been bombed, and three surrounding towns are still holding out. It is claimed that a number of German planes have been brought down.