THE FAR EAST

Hokitika Guardian, 22 March 1927, Page 2

THE FAR EAST

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.'; SOVIET PROTEST. < LONDON, March: 20. - The ‘‘Observer's” Moscow correspondent says the Soviet note to Bessarabia emphasises that Italian ratification onlv complicates a peaceful solution, while making Roumania still more bpposed to a free plebiscite protest ' at meetings in Ukraine, especially as the Moldavian Soviet, republic adjoins Bessarabia which all official maps show as Soviet territory. BRITISH VIEWPOINT. LONDON, March 20. The “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic, correspondent says:—lt would be idle to deny acute anxiety has been feltin British official circles, concerning the situation, ministers and experts during the week-end have been busily considering possibilities on th&fespot as well as external diplomatic interviews from every conceivable angle. Belgrade will certainly be invited to meet details of tha Italian charge. Many are advocating immediate recourse to the League .followed by the appointment of a commission of ex- ; ports to proceed to the danger zone. On tho other hand others feel that intervention now would merely embitter and niaguifv the feeling, apart from the possibility of a failure, imperialling the existence of the League. The alternative which seems to be favoured by British diplomacy, would appear to be n series of joint concerted despatches from the Great Powers, but the assumption that the Powers are united as on the occasion of the Bui-ggr-Greek quarrel ill 1924, maV be a dangerous delusion. '

GERMAN VIEW. LONDON, March 21. The Berlin newspapers indicate that Italy is the aggressor, and ai’so allege that she is acting with British encouragement. FRENCH FOREIGN OFFICE. PARIS. March 21. A semi-official message states':; —The tension in Italy and Jugo-Slavia has caused intense activity in the Kycueh ForeigiKMinistry. where the '"TJfeminn Ambassador went and conferred with Barthelow in M. Briand’s presence.

It is hoped, however, that it will bo unnecessary to put into' action the machinery of the League of Nations, as this step would exaggerate the existing tension, especially as Jugo-Slavia (says the semi-official message) has, in a spirit of conciliation, offered an inquiry, by Military Attaches, for the purpose of ascertaining whether there really are any military preparations on the Albnnian-Serbian border.

LONDON. March 21. Belgade telegrams state that the Jugo-Slavian Government are so troubled over the situation that Abey have assembled Parliament to copper the crisis. AI. Peritch, the 'Foreign Minister, announced that Jugo-Slnvia was now demanding an International* Commission to investigate Italy’s allegations. OAIINOUS SIGNS. LONDON* March 21. The “ Daily Express’s*” Paris correspondent states:—“Travellers on Franeo-Italian frontier report that there is feverish activity on both sides of the frontier. The barracks are crammed with soldiers, while guns* field-kitchens, tanks and ami mi red trains are on the railway siding” LONDON, Alarch 21. Paris messages show France is collaborating with Britain in an effort to find a solution of the trouble in the Balkans." BRITISH AND ITALIAN ACTION. PROTEST TO BELGRADE. ;Received this day at 8.30 a.m.) PARIS, Alarch 21. “Le Matin’s ” Belgrade correspondent states that British and ItaWa-n Alinister verbally remonstrated to JBT) Foreign Alinister, pointing

possibility of grave complications in tho event of Jugo-Sluvia failing to pre- . vent an incursion of revolutionaries into Albania. The Foreign Minister denied the existence of a revolutionary organisation in Jugo-Slavia, which would do nothing to disturb the peace of the Balkans.

“ Le Matin’s ” correspondent understands that Jugo-Si’avia is prepared to submit the question to the League of Nations and furthermore not to oppose the despatch of a League expeditionary fore* to preserve order in Albania.

ROME, Alarch &I. It is authoritatively stated that/Bfwij tain and Italy have jointly remonstrated to Belgrade.