ROME WARNING

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20099, 20 November 1939, Page 7

ROME WARNING

CHECK INTENDED COMMUNIST AIM SPREAD IN BALKANS LITTLE ENTENTE FRONT SYMPATHY WITH FINNS RESISTANCE TO SOVIET (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Nov. 20, 9 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 19.

Italy gave Russia a sharp warning to-day, first, by an attack on the radio and secondly, by open support ol Finland through the semi-official Italian press.

A Rome radio broadcast declared that Italy would resist immediately any attempt to introduce communism into the Balkans. The Balkan States wanted a united front against Communism, stated the broadcast." 'The defence and security of the Mediterranean were of the greatest concern to Italy,

In this connection it is reported from Istanbul that Yugoslavia has agreed to a proposal submitted by Turkey and Rumania for summoning a meeting of members of the Little Entente. Bulgaria has also accepted an invitation to send an observer. It is also reported in Istanbul that the Soviet Ambassador has twice conferred with the Turkish Foreign Minister, Saracoglu Bey, and a reopening of the talks between Turkey and Russia is believed to be imminent. Russian Press Trend The Soviet press lately has ceased attacks on Turkey and Rumania, showing a desire for some entente in connection with Balkan policy. The Rome paper Regime Fascista, declared: “We sympathise with the small, heroic Finnish nation which is ethnically and culturally homogeneous. Russia is displeased because she controls the entrance to the gulf in which the Soviet has her second capital.”

“The announcement that Italy will not allow the spread of Communism to the Balkans is calculated greatly to annoy the Soviet,” says Mr. G. E. R. Gedye, tire Moscow correspondent of the New York Times. “It is regarded as a thinly-disguised threat to the Soviet, since there is no reason' for the pronouncement concerning the Balkans where there is nothing to suggest the reappearance of native communism, but there is reason to expect that the Soviet will seek soon to extend Its influence to the Balkans.

“Italy’s warning seems primarily intended to check the extension of the Russian-Bulgarian rapprochement. It suggests that Italy’s plans for a Balkan bloc must be considerably advanced. Bulgaria the Key

“Bulgaria is unlikely to enter a Balkan bloc without the settlement of her demands to Dobruja and, an outlet to the Aegean Sea, but Italian pressure on Greece and Rumania might induce Bulgaria to end her flirtation with Russia and accept Italy’s sponsorship of a Balkan bloc, provided Italy is not over-powerful. In a sense, Bulgaria is the key to the formation of a great military power in the Balkans.

“Russia’s failure to reply to Italy’s increasing hostility is unquestionablythe result of German insistence that nothing would be done to widen the obvious Italian-German breach, but fit is doubtful whether German influence will be sufficient to impose continued silence on Russia.

“A bewildering picture is presented by the Soviet press, which is obliged to handle with kid gloves the Fascist-ruled States that the Russians naturally detest, while official hostility is reserved for the United States and the Western democracies with which the public are surprised to find they have a quarrel.”

Nazi Co-operation Doubted

Mr. Gedye adds that reports that Germany is co-operating in the blockade of Finland are unfounded. The Russian-Finnish situation is improving slowly and the prospect of an immediate hostile move is steadily decreasing.

A report from Helsinki says that Finland still maintains that the negotiations with Russia have been only suspended. She complains -of the Soviet press exaggerations in the “war of nerves.” ■ • -

The majority of evacuees have returned and life in the capital is again normal.

Fifteen Finnish ships were detained in German ■ ports. Two of 'them, bound for America, were held up at Stettin for a month.

The Swedish press outspokenly declares: “We will stand by Finland, which at present is roasting on a slow fire.”