HUNGARY NEXT?

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 August 1939, Page 5

HUNGARY NEXT?

REPORTED REJECTION OF NAZI DEMAND FREE PASSAGE FOR GERMAN TROOPS. HITLER APPLYING PRESSURE. (Independent Cable Service.) LONDON. August 21. Tlie “Daily Express” says that Hungary lias refused Herr Hitler’s demand to allow German troops to cross her frontiers 1 o facilitate I lie free passage of ( I'erman I roops against Poland and Rumania in Hie event of war.

It has been ascertained further that Herr Hitler asked the Hungarian Foreign Minister. Count Csaky. for close economic and military co-operation and said he wanted a decision quickly. A little over a week ago Signor Mussolini told County Csaky that he would do his best for Hungarian independence. but when Count Csaky flew to Rome on Friday he found a sharp change in II Duce’s attitude. Count Csaky vainly pleaded for three hours, but II Dace advised him to accept at least the bulk of Herr Hitler's demands, otherwise Italy would disinterest herself in Hungary’s affairs. When Count Csaky returns to Budapest shortly a proclamation of “benevolent neutrality to Germany” will be issued. The declaration will show Hungary’s willingness to place her agricultural products at Germany disposal, but she will refuse to be bound by any military commitments. NO ILLUSIONS EFFORTS TO COMBAT NAZI PRESSURE. REGENT DOING HIS UTMOST. BUDAPEST, August 21. _ The Hungarian Foreign Minister, Count Csaky. has arrived unexpectedly a Budapest from Graz and is reporting immediately to the Prime Minister Count Teleki, and the Cabinet. The journal "Nemetzo” partially sheds light on the journeyings of Count Czaky, declaring that Germany is realising that Hungary is indispensable for a push eastward and wants to attach her politically, militarily and economically, leaving an outward form of independence. it adds that the Hungarians have no illusions about the outcome of such attachment, for which reason the Regent, Admiral Horthy, is doing his utmost to combat the German pressure. Hungary is very loth to be drawn into a war against her friend, Poland, and in the fateful hours approaching Hungary desires neutrality but realises that Hungarian integrity cannot be preserved without Poland’s independence. TROOPS IN SLOVAKIA QUARTER OF A MILLION GERMANS. ißeceived This Day. 9.15 a.m.) LONDON, August 21. The Associated Press of Great Britain's correspondent in Zilina, in Slovakia, reports that 250,000 German troops, accompanied by artillery and aircraft are now stationed at the Slovak frontier, on Poland’s southern flank. GERMANY IN ARMS DISLOCATION OF NORMAL AFFAIRS. (Independent Cable Service.) BERLIN. August 21. . It is announced that the whole of the Cologne and Ruhr districts 'are to have a 36-hours’ air-raid precautions exercise, beginning at dusk today. The large military manoeuvres in Germany are dislocating everyday life. Nearly a million German-women are grass widows because their husbands have been called up. Many have taken over their husbands' jobs or carry on businesses. CONFERENCE IN DANZIG EFFORT TO SETTLE CUSTOMS DISPUTE. (Received This Day, 10.10 a.m.) DANZIG, August 21. The Polish Ministry of Finance conferred with representatives of the Senate and the Chief Inspector of Customs in an effort to settle the prolonged customs dispute. Two Polish officials, arrested on August IG, on charges of distributing anti-Nazi leaflets, have been released.