BALKAN DANGERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 December 1939, Page 5

BALKAN DANGERS

SIGNS OF COLLABORATION BETWEEN MOSCOW & BERLIN COMINTERN ORGAN ABUSES TURKEY. "PACT WITH IMPERIALISTIC POWERS.” By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON. December 6. “Coming events may be casting, their shadows before,” says “The Times,” referring to the articles in the "Communist international," the official organ of the Comintern. A further article warns the Turks against being involved in British and French designs to extend the war to the Balkans to form an anti-German front. The statement warning Turkey also declares that because of the rapprochement between the Turkish ruling classes and the British and French Imperialists Turkey's independence is now seriously threatened. It adds, no matter how responsible Turkish circles may try to embellish their pact: with Britain and France they cannot alter the fact that Turkey has concluded a mutual assistance pact with belligerent imperialistic Powers and thereby has entered the ar.ena of the war.

There is a similarity between this article and one appearing on Tuesday in the Berlin "Voelkischer Beobachter” threatening Asia Minor with a Russian invasion. It suggests close collaboration between Moscow and Berlin.

A recent article in the "Communist International” declared that the Rumanian minorities and worker’s were oppressed and exploited and a second article urged that a mutual aid pact between Russia and Rumania similar to the Soviet pacts with Baltic States was "necessary for the peaceful development 'of the Rumanians.” RUMANIAN POLICY READINESS TO EXAMINE PROPOSALS. WILL NOT MAKE TERRITORIAL CONCESSIONS. LONDON, December 7. Replying to the Communist International article on Russian relations with Rumania, official circles in Bucharest declare that Rumania is ready to examine any proposals in keeping with her neutrality but will not make territorial concessions or compromise her independence. "If Rumania is attacked she will certainly defend herself." Reuter's correspondent in Istanbul reports that the German Ambassador, Dr von Papen, sought an urgent interview with the Turkish Foreign Minister. M Saracoglu. with whom he talked for 30. minutes. Nothing of what they talked about was disclosed. The "Daily Telegraph's" Rome correspondent says the Fascist Grand •Council has been summoned for tonight. the first, meeting since April. It is understood that the Russo-Finnish situation and also that of the Balkans and Rumania will be discussed . The "New York Times” Rome correspondent says Italy cannot be expected to aid Rumania in the event of a Russian attack. It is not a vital Italian sphere like Hungary and Yugoslavia.

Italy might be content with helping Hungary to strengthen herself to face Russia, whereupon Hungary might try to seize Translyvania. after which much would depend on Germany's attitude and the extent of Allied aid to Rumania. Italy would have to defend her interests on the Rumanian line, saying to Russia: "Thus far and no further.”

The "New York Times" Budapest correspondent says there is a general and probably correct assumption in the Balkans that, if the Soviet strongly demanded Bessarabia Rumania would surrender it. Turkey and Yugoslavia would not assist Rumania merely to retain Bessarabia. The danger is of more extensive demands backed up with threats. Germany would be over-ready to share in a general partition. In such a case the clue to the future would remain with Italy.