TENSION IN BALKANS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 May 1940, Page 5

TENSION IN BALKANS

ANTICIPATION OF GERMAN THRUST DIPLOMATIC ACTIVITIES, BRITISH SHIPS LEAVE ITALIAN PORTS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, May 3. Several British merchantmen are reported to have left Italian ports. Italian ships continue to operate according to schedule. The Berlin correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain states that Herr von Mackensen returned from Rome and conferred with Herr Hitler. It is reliably stated that he brought a message from Signor Mussolini. According to political quarters, the correspondent stated, a German thrust in the Balkans will not be long delayed, because “now that Britain’s plan in Scandinavia has misfired she is going to try her luck in the Mediterranean.” Authorised commentators and Press comment indicated that Germany is preparing to be confronted with action in the Mediterranean and possibly in the Balkans. ITALIAN AIR LINE SERVICE TO ABYSSINIA SUSPENDED. LONDON, May 4. The Italian air line has suspended the Italy-Abyssinia service via Egypt and Libya. Six Italian bombers bound for Abyssinia landed at the Cairo airport. The Belgrade correspondent of the “Daily Mail” says the Italian Legation is reported to be removing documents to Rome and destroying others. The police have arrested 250 Germans. THREAT TO SLOVAKIA PROVOCATION ALLEGED BY HUNGARY. BUDAPEST, May 5. An official broadcast was as follows: “Intolerable provacations by the Slovak Government are being watched .with anxiety and misgiving. It is realised that these activities are directed against the very existence of the Hungarian' State.”