BALKAN UNITY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 February 1940, Page 5

BALKAN UNITY

POLICY OF THE ENTENTE

FULL COLLABORATION ASSUMED

STATEMENTS BY ENVOYS.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright BELGRADE. February 3.

In a statement to the Press on the conference of the Balkan Entente, the Rumanian envoy, Dr Gafencu, declared: “The conference has established the unity of our mewpoint on the questions at issue. It is possib’° fi-r us to collaborate fully, and the collaboration remains open with other States within the bounds of our national independence.” The Turkish envoy, M Saracoclu. said: “The determination of our countries to stand by each other need not be emphasised. I am happy to say that the conference will show the best results and reaffirm the unity of the four Powers (Turkey, Rumania. Yugoslavia and Greece) from every point of view.” The Yugoslavian envoy, M Markovitch, said: “There exists a definite friendship of the four delegates which is quite unbreakable.” RUMOURS DISCOUNTED RELATIONS WITH BULGARIA. NO DESIRE TO OFFEND NAZIS. NEW YORK, February 3. The “New York Times” correspondents in Rome and the Balkan capitals stress that the Entente conference is probably not sensational, and they warn against rumours circulating without confirmation.

The Belgrade correspondent, M. Sulzberger, states that diplomats think that the rymours are “bunk.” Fie adds that it is likely the Entente will merely labour for better relations with Bulgaria, and possibly Hungary,- but will not attempt to expand the bloc lest it offend Germany. It is believed that M Saracoglu today removed a stumbling block by successfully explaining Turkey’s reasons for signing the accord with Britain and France, and it is pointed out that if Turkey is not strictly neutral she is out of the war.

POLICY AGREED TO PRESERVATION OF PEACE. OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE ISSUED. (Received This Day, 9.50 a.m.) LONDON, February 4. An official communique issued in Belgrade after the meeting of the Balkan Entente stated: “The four members have agreed: Firstly, to preserve peace in the common interests of the member States; secondly, to continue the policy of excluding war from their part of Europe; thirdly, the closest cooperation of members; fourthly, the establishment of friendly relations with neighbours; fifthly, to intensify collaboration of commerce and transport beween members; sixthly, to extend the pact for seven years and lastly, that the Foreign Ministers maintain the closest contact until the next conference in Athens in February, 1941. TRADE AND PAYMENTS ANGLO-TURKISH AGREEMENT. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, February 3. An Anglo-Turkish Trade and Payments Agreement has been signed in London. The new agreement consolidates and slightly modifies the existing agreements. The text will be published as soon as possible.