DESIGNS IN AREA OF BALKANS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20115, 8 December 1939, Page 7

DESIGNS IN AREA OF BALKANS

SOVIET AND NAZI AMBITIONS MOSCOW DEMANDING RUMANIAN PACT CONCERN FOR “OPPRESSED” MINORITIES FURTHER ADVICE OFFERED TURKEY (Elee. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Dee. 8, 10 a.in.) LONDON, Dee. 7. A message from Moscow states that the Communist International, declaring that Rumanian minorities and workers are oppressed and exploited, urges a Russian-Rumanian mutual-aid pact similar to the Soviet pacts with the Baltic States. This is declared to be “necessary for bright and peaceful development of the Rumanians. ’ ’ A Bucharest message states that in reply to the Communist International article, official circles in Rumania declare that Rumania is ready to examine any proposals in keeping her neutrality, but would not make territorial concessions or , compromise her independence. It is added: “If Rumania is attacked she certainly will defend herself.” A further Moscow report states that the Communist International publishes a warning to the Turkish ruling classes and British and French imperialists that Turkey’s independence is now seriously threatened. It adds: “No matter how responsible Turkish circles may try to embellish their pact with Britain and France, they cannot alter the fact that Turkey has concluded a mutual-assistance pact with belligerent imperialistic Powers and thereby entered the arena.ptwar,” Reuter’s correspondent at Istanbul reports that the Nazi Ambassador, Herr von Papon, sought an urgent interview with the Turkish Foreign Minister, Saracoglu Bey, and talked with him for half an hour, but nothing was disclosed. May Be Casting Shadows. “Coming events may be casting their shadows before them,” says The Times in referring to the article published by the Communist International concerning Rumania and the warning to the Turks against being involved in British and French designs to extend the war to the Balkans and form an anti-German front. ■ It is pointed out that there is a similarity between this article and one appearing on Tuesday in the Nazi journal Yolkischer Beobachter, threatening Asia Minor with Russian invasion. This similarity suggests close collaboration between Moscow and Berlin. The Rome correspondent of the New York Times says that Italy cannot be expected to aid Rumania in the event of a Russian attack. “It is not a vital Italian sphere like Hungary or Yugoslavia,” states the Correspondent. “Italy might be content, thus helping Hungary to strengthen a pact with Russia, whereupon Hungary might try to seize Transylvania, after which much would depend on Germany’s attitude and the extent to w'hich the Allies could aid Rumania. Italy would have to defend her interests on the Rumanian line, saying to Russia : ‘So far and no further.’ ” Fate of Bessarabia,

The Budapest correspondent of the New York Times says that the general and probably correct assumption in the Balkans is that if the Soviet strongly demanded Bessarabia, Rumania would surrender it as Turkey and Yugoslavia would' not assist Rumania merely to retain Bessarabia. The danger is of more extensive demands backed up with threats. Germany would be over-ready to share in a general partition. In such case the clue to the future would remain with Italy. Tlie Rome correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says that the Fascist Grand Council was summoned to-night for the first time since April. It is understood that the Russo-Finnish situation and also the position of the Balkans and Rumania was discussed.