“ACT OF RESTITUTION”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 June 1940, Page 6

“ACT OF RESTITUTION”

SOVIET OCCUPATION OF BESSARABIA SHARP REFUSAL TO NEGOTIATE DEVELOPMENT NOT PLEASING NAZIS BIDING THEIR TIME. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.5 a.m.) RUGBY. June 28. It is announced from Moscow that the occupation of Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina is to be completed within a few days, under the direction of a Joint Commission. The announcement indicates that the Russian demands were presented in the form • of a request for an act of restitution and historical justice in the interests of peace. A counter-sug-gestion by Rumania for negotiation was sharply , refused. The Russian action was not unexpected in London in view of recent developments and the collapse of France. Diplomatic circles here do not imagine that this development is welcome in Berlin, though it remains a matter of conjecture whether Russia took the trouble to consult Germany beforehand. If consultation took place, it is assumed that the Nazis would have thought it advisable to acquiesce in Russia’s present move. They would calculate that if their hopes of overwhelming Britain in her defence of order and liberty in Europe are fulfilled, they will be in a position to deal with any pretensions from any other quarters which in their view affect their interest or ambitions in the Balkans. GENERAL MOBILISATION ORDERED IN RUMANIA. (Received This Day, 1.0 p.m.) LONDON, June 28. It is officially announced from Bucharest that a general mobilisation of the Army, Nayy and Air Force has been ordered for midnight.