IN THE NEAR EAST

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 March 1940, Page 7

IN THE NEAR EAST

MUCH DIPLOMATIC THRUST & PARRY

SCHEMES OF TOTALITARIAN STATES.

CHARGES AGAINST ALLIES IN MOSCOW.

By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright LONDON. March 17.

Smith-eastern Europe ami the Near Hast are again taking first place in the European situation. Nothing concrete has emerged from the last two days’ diplomatic thrust and parry throughout Europe, though German sources are still harping on the theme that startling events can be expected next week.

“The Observer's diplomatic correspondent expresses the opinion that Germany’s diplomatic offensive includes the ambitious project of promoting a deal between Russia, Italy and Germany to carve up Europe east from the Rhine. It is understood that Germany suggested that the small Baltic States should go to Russia, Rumania to Germany, and Yugoslavia to Italy. Germany’s policy is directed to eliminate the risk of an Allied offensive in the Near East. The correspondent adds that there is no evidence that Italy is agreeable to such a grandiose scheme.

It is also understood that Turkey has given a specific undertaking to England and France to resist by force any further attempt to alter the map of the Balkans.

Authoritative circles in London today declared that sensational deductions with regard to Rumania are not justified. A message from Moscow says that the central Government organ "Izvestia” again draws attention to the Allied preparations in the Near East. It says: "The Allies obviously intend to launch their armies against the Balkans to create a new war front and sever Germany’s trade connections in South-eastern Europe. The arrival of 50 British officers at Adrianople to supervise the Turkish-Bulgarian frontier is evidence of plans for an advance base for military operations.” It adds: “The Allies’ activity in the Near East is particularly unfavourable to Italy, because it threatens her colonial Empire.”

Budapest reports that the Hungarian Prime Minister. Count Teleki, in a broadcast on the first anniversary of the occupation of Carpatho-Russia, declared that Hungary is determined to maintain her independence but will not relinquish her minority claims in the Danubian basin.