DIPLOMATIC ACTIVITY IN BALKANS

Evening Star, Issue 23383, 28 September 1939, Page 8

DIPLOMATIC ACTIVITY IN BALKANS

POSSIBILITY OF NEW BLOC Sensational Developments Expected Turkey May Act As Intermediary Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright NEW YORK, September 27. ' . The Moscow correspondent of the ‘ New York Times ’ says:— - “It has been officially staled that the object of Herr von Ribbentrop’s visit is not forthcoming, but it is certainly connected with the present visit of the Turkish Foreign Minister. Many things point to one object, to present an agreement by which Germany would guarantee not to invade the Balkans. Russia would also guarantee not to occupy the Balkans in return for a Turkish guarantee to close the straits to all belligerents. “A promise would no doubt be extracted from the Balkans to place their entire economic resources at Germany’s disposal. “It would be a bloodless but important German victory, extracted under the threat of bloodshed. Turkey s fear of seeing a great Power militarily occupy Rumania and Greece are based largely on the difficulty of defending Istanbul owing to post-war losses to Greece, but Turkey would probably retain freedom of action in the event of Italy entering the war. The agreement would bring Russia security in the Black Sea in the event of war with France and Britain, and would also secure sea communications for the transit to Germany of cotton, manganese, some ■wheat, and a limited quantity of oil. Another message states that Herr von Ribbentrop s arrival at Moscow to-day, coupled with reports of the possible formation of a new Balkan and near-eastern bloc, led Soviet diplomatic sources to believe that sensational developments can.be expected. A Russo-German military alliance is not ruled out. Some observers hint at the possibility that Turkey will be asked to act as intermediary in a new bid for peace. It has been reported from Bucharest that Sarajogulus Bey’s visit might lead to negotiations between Italy and Russia, for a Balkan pact, under which Turkey, Rumania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Greece, and Hungary would unite as a neutral bloc., guaranteeing the status quo in the eastern Mediterranean with the backing of Italy and the Soviet.

It is understood that Hungary is willing to waive her claim to Transylvania, and that Rumania will seek to settle the Bessarahian issue with the Soviet.

It is regarded as significant that Herr von Ribbentrop decided to go to Moscow after hearing the broad terms of Sarajogulus Bey’s intended conversation. One possible explanation of the! diplomatic activity in Moscow is advanced by a Bucharest correspondent who states that negoiations are under way for a pact between Russia, Italy, and the Balkan States to prevent the war from spreading to south-eastern Europe. Russia, it is believed, does not look with favour on an extension of German influence in this direction. The correspondent’s theory, it was added, was received with reserve in London.

SIEGE OF WARSAW CITY REDUCED TO RUINS INCENDIARY BOMBS DROPPED WARSAW, September 27. Carrying out the threat to reduce Warsaw to ruins, the Germans intensified their artillery and air bombardment of the city. “ We are now being continuously raided by 200 aeroplanes, and shelled by heavy artillery.” said the Warsaw wireless last night. Hundreds of incendiary bombs were dropped, causing over 50 fires, which are difficult to fight owing to a scarcity of water. The food situation is also difficult. Horses killed in the streets by the Germans’ shells are immediately cut up and distributed for consumption. THE RED ARMY ' PROGRESS IN POLAND LONDON, September 27. The Moscow correspondent of the British United Press says that the radio announced that the Red Army has reached Zamosc, Osoweic, Chelm, and Sambor. RUSSIA AND RUMANIA NORMAL RELATIONS EMPHASISED LONDON, September 27. ’A Bucharest communique, emphasisin* the normal relations between the Soviet and Rumania, slates that a d*claration by M. Molotov guaranteeing Rumania’s neutrality was handed to the Rumanian Minister in Moscow. The Red army commander also contacted with the Rumanian army chief at the frontier and emphasised Russia's desire for Rumanian neutrality. GERMAN CONSULS ' DEPARTURE FROM AUSTRALIA SYDNEY, 'September 27. (Received September 28, at 8 a.m.) The German Vice-Consul at Sydney, Dr W. Hooiw, and also the German Consul for New Zealand. Herr K. Ramm. and his wife, sailed for Batavia, where they will await further instructions from their Government.

DR GOEBBELS ANOTHER REPORT SAID TO BE IN DISGRACE LONDON, September 27. Reports from Berlin appear to confirm that Dr Goebbels is .in disgrace. It is believed that this is due to a quarrel with Field-Marshal Goering. An independent cable message from Paris says it has been reported from Zurich that Dr Goebbels is definitely out of favour and will make his exit quietly. He will be succeeded by Dr Weiner, a close collaborator of FieldMarshal Goering. Thus Field-Marshal Goering will be able to bring the Propaganda Ministry under his own control. FRENCH COMMUNISTS PARTY DISSOLVED BY DECREE PARIS, September 27. A decree in the Official Journal dissolves the Communist Party and terminates Communist representation in Parliament, departments, and municipalities. The decree also bans the publication of Communist literature and cartoons,'deprives the Communists of the right of assembly and speech, and forbids relations with the Third International.

ESTONIA ALARMED FEARS OF RUSSIAN MOVE ALARMING RUMOURS CURRENT TALLINN, September 27: General anxiety is mounting over the relations between Russia and Estonia as a result of alarming rumours of an impending Russian diplomatic offensive in the Baltic region. WILL FIGHT IF ATTACKED STATEMENT BY COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF LONDON, September 27. The Stockholm correspondent of an exchange says that General Laidoner, Commander-in-Chief of the Estonian army, broadcasting, said that Estonia had done everything to keep out of the conflict, but if she was attacked she would defend herself valiantly and unitedly, the same as she did 20 years ago. SINKING DF ROYAL SCEPTRE THE CAPTAIN KILLED NEW YORK, September 26. The Rio cle Janeiro correspondent of the ‘ New York Times ’ states that 32 members of the crew of the Royal Sceptre we’re taken to Bahia by the Browning. They stated that the captain was killed by a torpedo explosion. Eye-witnesses said that the submarine hailed the Royal Sceptre, whose captain refused to stand by. The vessel was immediately torpedoed, a splinter killing the captain and wounding nine, some seriously. They are at present in hospital in Bahia. The crew took to the boats and were later picked up by the Browning while the submarine stood by. The Browning’s passengers werthrown into panic at the sight of the U-boat. They donned lifebelts and rushed the boats, but the submarine commander pacified them and assured them that he would not torpedo the Browning, which he ordered to pick up the Royal Sceptre’s crew and proceed to Brazil. SWEEPING PROGRAMME KEEPING WAR AWAY FROM AMERICA PANAMA CITY, September 27. At the Neutrality Conference Mr Sumner Welles, Under-secretary of State, proposed a sweeping programme designed to keep the European war away from Americans. It chiefly provides for the following:—A safety zone for merchant shipping, the United States to bear the chief burden of patrolling’ it and preventing searches, seizures, and raiding. 2. Banning belligerent submarines from American ports. 3. Joint representation to belligerents, setting forth America’s neutrality declarations. 4. Study of monetary and commercial relationship between the Americas. 5. Preservation of liberal trade policies. 6. Suppression of subversive activities violating neutrality. Mr Welles stated plainly that the United States navy would co-operate in patrolling waters adjacent to the Americas. It is understood that the waters of Canada, the colonics, and the possessions of belligerents would be exempted from the safety zone. ' NO PARTICIPATION IN WAR AMERICAN LEGION'S ATTITUDE CHICAGO, September 27. (Received September 28, at 8 a.m.) A committee of the American Legion advocated that the United States stay out of the war, and demanded a session of Congress throughout the crisis. It left to Congress a decision with regard to repeal of the arms embargo, as it was not taking a stand on the matter. LORD BLEOISLOE'S MESSAGE PROUD OF NEW ZEALAND (Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, September 27. “ I am very proud of the grand example set by New Zealand’s united patriotic effort in this time of peril.” This is the text of a cablegram which the Prime Minister (Mr Savage) has received from Lord Blcdisloe, a former Governor-General of New Zealand. In acknowledgment. Mr Savage cabled the following reply:—‘‘l am most grateful for your cablegram, which will he a great encouragement to the Government and people of this Dominion.”