SOVIET WARNED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 November 1939, Page 5

SOVIET WARNED

SHARP INTIMATION GIVEN BY ITALY RESISTANCE TO BALKAN PENETRATION. ANNOYANCE ANTICIPATED IN MOSCOW. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. LONDON. November 18. Italy gave Russia a sharp warning first by an attack on the radio and 'secondly by open support for Finland through the semi-official Press. The Rome Radio declared that Italy would resist immediately any attempt to introduce Communism into the Balkans. The Balkan States wanted a united front against Communism. The defence and security of the Mediterranean were of the greatest concern to Italy. In this connection it is reported from Istanbul that Yugoslavia has agreed to the proposal by Turkey and Rumania for summoning a meeting of the members of the Entente. Bulgaria had also accepted an invitation to send an observer. Il is also reported from Istanbul that the Soviet Ambassador twice conferred with the Turkish Foreign Minister, M. Saracoglu, and a reopening of the talks between Turkey and Russia is believed to be imminent. The Soviet Press lately has ceased attacks on Turkey and Rumania and is showing a desire for some Entente connection with Balkan policy. The announcement that Italy will not allow a spread of Communism in the Balkans is calculated greatly to annoy the Soviet, says Mr Gedye, the Moscow correspondent of the “New York Times.” It is regarded as a thinly disguised threat to the Soviet, since there is no reason for the pronouncement on the Balkans, where there is nothing to suggest a reappearance of native Communism, but there is reason to expect the Soviet will seek soon to extend its influence in the Balkans. Italy’s warning seems primarily intended to check an extension of the Russian-Bulgarian rapprochement. It suggests that Italy’s plans for a Balkan bloc must be considerably advanced. Bulgaria is unlikely to enter a Balkan bloc without a settlement of the Dobruja and Aegian demands, but Italian pressure on Greece and Rumania might induce Bulgaria to end her flirtation with Russia and accept Italy’s sponsorship of a Balkan bloc provided Italy is not over-powerful. In a sense Bulgaria is the key to the formation of a great military Power in the Balkans. Russia’s failure Io reply to Italy’s increasing hostility is unquestionably a result of German insistence. Nothing is being done to widen the obvious Italian-German breach, but it is doubtful whether the German influence will be sufficient to impose continued silence. A bewildering picture is presented by the Soviet Press, which is obliged to handle with kid gloves the Fascistruled States that the Russians naturally detest, while the official hostility is reserved for the United States and the Western democracies, with which the public are surprised to find that they have a quarrel. British official wireless reports that a Turkish mission will arrive in London shortly to discuss questions of common interest to Britain and Tur--1 key, including economic and financial questions.

An Istanbul report, says that eight. Germans, including a woman, have been arrested on suspicion of Nazi propaganda and espionage.