BALKAN UNREST

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 December 1939, Page 5

BALKAN UNREST

FRENCH OBSERVER’S IMPRESSIONS FEARS OF RUSSO-GERMAN ACTION. NEED OF COMMON FRONT PERCEIVED. Ey Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. PARIS, December 8. The "Paris Soir’s” foreign editor, M Jules Sauerwein, in a message from Bucharest, says: "Rumania is wisely endeavouring to settle the RumanianBulgarian disputes. "The Bulgarians’ strongest argument, which is not openly expressed, is that Bulgaria could combine with Russia in an attack on two sides. “When it is considered that the Hungarians have supported Germany, the situation is no less threatening. “It is readily agreed that the Rumanians must have the friendship of at least one of their neighbour States, and strong British, French and Turkish forces should be in readiness. One section of opinion is comforted in a belief that Russia and Germany will never agree to a division of the spoils, but the consequences of action, even if unconcerted, would be fatal to the Balkans.” M Sauerwein fields that the Balkans are beginning to see the necessity for sacrifices to attain solidarity and are watching closely any movement toward a regional or European federation. “The Balkans also are beginning to understand that national sovereignty must retire in favour of common interests of security,” he states. “It is remarkable to see the spread of these ideas and the economic and military accords, coupled with the respect for individual freedom. Evidently on these principles the future of Europe must be built. “I have found the main lines of this conception endorsed by the five heads of the south-eastern States with whom I recently conferred.” ITALIAN POLICY NEUTRALITY AFFIRMED. AND LOYALTY TO ALLIANCE WITH GERMANY. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. ROME, December 8. After a meeting of the Fascist Grand Council lasting nearly four hours, a communique states the council reaffirmed Italy’s neutrality, and also that the Italian-German relations remain those established by the pact of alliance and by the exchanges that have since occurred between the two countries at Berlin, Salzburg and Milan. In the communique it was claimed, a radio message states, that by remaining out of the war Italy has averted an extension of the conflict to southeastern Europe. Signor Mussolini spoke for an hour and a half, and the Foreign Minister, Count Ciano, talked on the international situation for two and a half hours. It was also announced that Italy could not but help being affected by any developments which might eventuate in the Danube-Balkan region. SOVIET BALLOON PROPOSALS TO RUMANIA. INDICATION OF RECKLESS POLICY. NEW YORK, December 7. The Moscow correspondent of the “New York Times." Mr G. E. R. Gedye. commenting on the article in the Communist Internatianal’s organ urging a mutual aid pact between Russia and Rumania, describes it as evidence of growing recklessness in Moscow’s policy, though the Rumanians stress that the Soviet avoided the official backing I that would have been the case if it had been published in the "Izvestia” or "Pravda."

It is most probably in the nature of a balloon to observe the Rumanian reaction and model Russian policy accordingly. The article can be disowned as one in the "Izvestia" or "Pravda” could not. But if it is seen that the Rumanians are seriously alarmed and without backing, it might be followed later by others more menacing and more authoritative. Add balkan unrest. NAZI REGIME UNPOPULAR IN BALKANS. TRANSFER OF MINORITIES OPPOSED. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, December 7. The recent transferences of the German populations from the Baltic are. according to reports reaching London from trustworthy sources, having their repercussions among the German minorities in Slovenia (north-west Yugoslavia). whose attitude has undergone a marked change. They now display definite unwillingness to leave Yugoslavia, and not only refuse to conduct German propaganda, but also are actually eager to propitiate their Slovene neighbours. Nazis of Slovene or of mixed stock ardently assert their Slovene origin and show a desire to change their German for Slovene names. The waning of German influence is accelerated by reports reaching the town of Maribor. close to the old Austrian frontier. The regime is unpopular with the peasants on the German side of the frontier, who are openly critical and complain bitterly of a food shortage. The exchange value of the German mark at Maribor has fallen to one dinar, compared with eight to 10 before the war.

Heavy losses in the Polish campaign suffered by Carinthian and Styrian regiments have also given rise to complaints that the Austrian units, particularly those with a strong Slovene clement, were deliberately sacrificed while young men remained safely at home. TOLD TO GET OUT TURKISH PRESS WARNS VON PAPEN. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright ANKARA. December 7. The Press demands that the Ger-

mail envoy. Dr von Papen. cease his propaganda activities nr "get out.' The German Embassy earlier had circulated a translation of an anti-Tur-kish article in the Moscow "Pravda." The Turkish newspaper “Yenishabah" accuses Germany of intriguing under diplomatic immunity. RED TROOPS MASSING ON RUMANIAN FRONTIER. ITALIAN RADIO REPORT. LONDON. December 8. The Rome radio says Russian troops are massing on the Rumanian frontier.