ESTONIA APPREHENSIVE

Evening Star, Issue 23382, 27 September 1939, Page 7

ESTONIA APPREHENSIVE

SOVIET TROOPS ON BORDER WILL FIGHT IF ATTACKED TALLINN, September 26. Soviet troops have arrived at the border. The President is summoning Parliament, to be preceded by a secret meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committee. General Laidonner, in a speech, reasserted that Estonia would defend itself to the bitter end if attacked. CONVERSATIONS ENDED ESTBNIAN MINISTER RETURNS HOME MOSCOW, September 26. Complete secrecy surrounds the cessation of cpnvereations between the Estonian Foreign Minister (M. Karl Selter) and high Soviet officials. The Moscow correspondent of * The Times ’ says the Estonian Foreign Minister was summoned at midnight to the Kremlin, where he saw a personage. He returned to the hotel and packed, and spent the night at the legation. He left by plane in the morning. ' . Diplomatic circles believe that Russia might be making demands. There has been no indication whether the talks have been suspended or broken off. SLOVAKIANS THANKED HITLER'S MEBBA6E TO PRESIDENT BERLIN, September 26. The German News Agency says that Hitler telegraphed a message to Dr Tiso, Slovakian President, as follows ;—“ At the end of the Polish campaign, I must thank you, the Slovak army, and the people for your determined attitude and brotherhood in arms. The German nation and Government will respond fully to this sentiment.” RUSSIA AND YUGOSLAVIA RAPPROCHEMENT IMMINENT NEW YORK, September 26. The Belgrade correspondent of the ‘ New; York Times ’ says diplomatic circles are convinced that a rapprochement between Russia and Yugoslavia is imminent. Despite the strong proRussian sentiment of the Serbian peasants, there has been no contact diplomatically since the revolution. It is persistently rumoured that a Yugoslav delegation is going to Moscow, but this cannot he confirmed. The public are most sympathetic over the Russian incursion into Europe, ORDERS TO GESTAPO TO PREVENT GONTGT WITH RUSSIAN TROOPS PARIS, September 26. (Received September 27, at 8 a.m.) The Gestapo has been ordered to see that the regular army in Poland does not make contact with the Russian troops, because the Germans are overfed with propaganda.

BALKAN ANXIETY FEARS OF SOVIET ADVANCE CONCENTRATIONS ON RUMANIAN FRONTIER ANKARA, September 25. The Soviet concentrations on the Rumanian frontier are causing anxiety in the Balkans. It is hoped that tho visit of the Turkish Foreign Minister (Bay Saracogiu) to Moscow will clarify’ the Soviet standpoint in regard to th© Balkans. POLICY OF NEUTRALITY DECLARATION BY AMBASSADOR ROME, September 26. * A radio announcement stated that the Soviet Ambassador in London (M. Maisky) assured Lord Halifax on September 23 that Russia did not intend closer association with Germany and would adhere to its policy of neutrality. OVERTURES TO TURKEY RUSSIA'S PROPOSALS WASHINGTON, September 25. Diplomatic circles declare that the Soviet has offered to guarantee Turkey against German expansion to the BlackSea if Turkey will agree to remain neutral and close the Black Sea to belligerents. It is not clear whether Russia and Germany have agreed on zones of influence in Rumania, whereby Germany will not extend to the Black Sea, or whether Russia is unilaterally giving a pledge to Turkey. The Soviet apparently fears the Allies will attempt to seize the Baku oilfields, which are difficult to defend; At present the easiest route for oil to Germany is through the Black Sea and Rumania, which the British Fleet could cut off if it was able to enter the Black Sea. Diplomatic circles believe that the proposal is only one of many which will be offered to the Turkish Foreign Minister while he is in Moscow.