ESTONIA MENACED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 September 1939, Page 5

ESTONIA MENACED

MAY YIELD TO SOVIET DEMANDS DELEGATES COLDLY RECEIVED IN MOSCOW. MORE ABOUT SUBMARINE INCIDENT. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. LONDON, September 28. Yet another visit to Moscow is being made by the Estonian Foreign Minister, M. Seller, who, at the head of a delegation, arrived at the Moscow airport, a quarter of an hour after the German Foreign Minister, Herr von Ribbentrop. Russian aeroplanes are reported to have flown over Tallinn today, and it is persistently rumoured that Estonia is prepared to agree to the demand for bases on the Estonian coast. The Moscow correspondent of the “New York Times” reported that M Setter, after protesting against the violation of Estonian frontiers by Soviet planes, nevertheless decided to yield to the Soviet demands in view of the impossibility of obtaining help in resisting a Soviet invasion. It is thought possible that the demands might not include an actual occupation of Tallinn, but the Soviet might be content with the installation of garrisons on certain Estonian islands commanding Tallinn, coupled with special privileges for the use of Tallinn as a port. It has been feared that Moscow is determined to get wartime control of the large island of Dagoe and also of Baltic Port, Estonia’s only ice-free har-

bOUr - rr, ... “The New York Times’ Tallinn correspondent says it is reported the Estonian delegates got a very cold reception in Moscow. Foreign Office subordinates informed M Selter that a Russion ship had been torpedoed on the borderline of Estonian-Russian waters. The general belief is that Estonia will be forced to accede to the demands. It was understood the mission brought a new explanation regarding the Orzel incident which may satisfy Russia, an earlier mesage from Moscow stated. Informed circles suggested that Estonia was prepared to. meet Soviet claims as far as possible in order to alleviate suspicions against Estonian neutrality. The authorities have ordered the military not to fire on bombers from the Soviet aircraft-car-rier lying off the coast. The Estonian authorities deny repairing and refuelling the Orzel. They add that no submarine base exists in Estonia. NAVAL & AIR BASES FOR SOVIET A Daventry report states that a ten-year agreement between Russia and Estonia has been reached, giving the Soviet naval and air bases on Estonian islands in the Baltic. NAVAL DEMONSTRATION SOVIET NAVY CRUISING OFF ESTONIA. (Received This Day, 9.5 a.m.) HELSINGFORS, September 28 The Soviet Navy is reported to be cruising in battle formation off Estonia. . , , The Russian radio is vigorously attacking Estonia. It -is believed that Moscow regards the present Government as “insufficiently friendly” towards the Soviet, and reconstruction is possible. another ship sunk SOVIET WARSHIPS RESCUE CREW. (Received This Day, 9.5 a.m.) MOSCOW, September 28. A radio message reports that the freighter Poneer was attacked by a submarine and was beached on the Estonian coast. Soviet warships rescued the crew. rWW’niMWUiaMMEIMB— —Mtt— M——