BALKAN TENSION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 January 1940, Page 5

BALKAN TENSION

RUMANIAN OIL CONTRACTS ASSURANCE TO BRITAIN. ■JAPAN HEIGHTENS■ CONJECTURE. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. LONDON, January 28. In Bucharest today the Foreign Minister, Dr Gafencu, denied reports that Rumania is increasing her petroleum exports to Germany or discussing a guarantee pact with Germany and Russia. He added that Rumania is only concerned with fulfilling her undertakings according to the treaties. It is also reported from Rome that the Rumanian Minister of National Economy, M Bujoiu, assured Mr R. W. A. Leeper, Counsellor to the British Diplomatic Service, that no country has asked for supplies of oil in excess of those prescribed by treaties, and gave him details of Rumania’s contracts to supply petroleum to foreign countries.

The German Minister to Bucharest, who has returned rrom Berlin, is reported to have informed Rumanian officials that Germany’s attitude toward Rumania is not modified.

Japan has heightened conjecture about Russian and German plans in the Balkans by calling a conference at Budapest of its Ambassadors from Rome, Berlin, Paris, and Ankara, all of whom are senior diplomats, and also from Berne and the south-eastern European capitals.

The Budapest correspondent of “The Times” says authoritative sources assert that the chief item of discussion will be the effect of Russian and German threats to the Balkans on Japanese foreign policy. Meanwhile Turkey continues her efforts to inject courage into the more timid of her neighbours.

The Ankara newspaper “Yenisabah,” says it would be better for the small neutral countries to link up with the Allies than await their turn to be invaded. Any self-respecting nation which cherishes its freedom should immediately join the Allies, even if it is not prepared to fight as heroically as Finland.

The Prime Minister of Turkey. Dr Saydam, said in an interview published in Istanbul, that while Turkey was doing all she could to prevent the war spreading to eastern Europe, no one could be sure that it could be avoided. In Budapest the Foreign Office spokesman said Hungarian policy regarding Rumania was unchanged. Hungary was unable to forfeit her claims against Rumania, and the present complicated position was the only thing that prevented Hungary from asserting her rights. However, it is confidently expected that Rumania will try to reach a settlement.