POSITION IN BALKANS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 September 1939, Page 9

POSITION IN BALKANS

RUSSO-OERMAN TALKS

NAZIS SEEKING BLOODLESS VICTORY.

NEGOTIATIONS WITH TURKEY

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.

NEW YORK, September 27.

The Moscow correspondent of the “New York Times” says it’is officially stated that the object of the visit of the German Foreign Minister, Herr von Ribbentrop, to Moscow is not forthcoming, but it is certainly connected with the present visit of the Turkish Foreign Minister. Many things point to a proposed agreement by which Germany will guarantee not to invade the Balkans and Russia will also guarantee not to occupy the Balkans in return for a Turkish guarantee to close the straits to all belligerents. A promise will no doubt be extracted from the Balkan States to _ place their entire economic resources at Germany’s disposal. It would be a bloodless but important German victory, extracted under a threat of bloodshed. Turkey’s fears of seeing a great Power militarily occupy Rumania and Greece are based largely on the difficulty of defending Istanbul because of her post-war losses to Greece, but Turkey will probably retain her 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. Also it would secure the sea communications for the transit to Germany of cotton, manganese, some wheat and a limited quantity of oil. SOVIET ASSURANCE GIVEN TO RUMANIA. SOME TALK OF ALLIANCE WITH GERMANY. LONDON, September 27. A communique emphasising the normal relations between the Soviet and Rumania states that a declaration by the Russian Premier, M Molotov, guaranteeing Rumania’s neutrality has been handed to the Rumanian Minister in Moscow, states a message from Bucharest. The Red Army commander has also contacted the Rumanian Army chief at the frontier, emphasising Russia’s desire for Rumanian neutrality. The Moscow representative of the Associated Press of ; Great Britain says that Herr von Ribbentrop’s arrival in Moscow today, coupled with the reports of the possible formation of a new Balkan and Near Eastern bloc, has 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 an intermediary in a new bid for peace. It is reported from Bucharest that the Turkish Foreign Minister's visit to Moscow might lead to negotiations between Italy and the Soviet for a Balkan pact under which Turkey, Rumania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Greece and Hungary would unite as a neutral bloc guaranteeing the status quo of 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 Rumania will seek to settle the Bessarabian issue with the Soviet. It is regarded as significant that Herr von Ribbentrop decided to go to Moscow after hearing the broad terms of the Turkish Foreign Minister’s intended conversations.