SOVIET DEMAND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 July 1940, Page 5

SOVIET DEMAND

4 CONTROL OF DARDANELLES AN UNCONFIRMED REPORT. BULGARIAN AND RUMANIAN ISSUES. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, July 10. It is reported without confirmation from Istanbul that Russia has presented an ultimatum to Turkey demanding control of the Dardanelles. The Sofia correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says the controlled Bulgarian Press has called on the Balkan Entente to help achieve a peaceful settlement of Bulgaria’s territorial revision claims before it is too late. The Press unanimously voices this alternative: “Unless you help us, we might accept aid from Russia, Germany, or Italy, which might bring repercussions unfavourable to the Balkans.” Officials declared that Bulgaria was not invited to send representatives to the talks between the Italian and German Foreign Ministers, Count Ciano and Herr von Ribbentrop, but Hungary was invited. The Budapest radio announced that the Hungarian Premier, Count Teleki, and the Foreign Minister, Count Csaky, are meeting the German representatives at Munich. The conversations concern the recent events in Rumania and the new order in the Balkans. It is reported from Bucharest that a decree prohibits the sale of Rumanian oil company shares except to Rumanians. The Bucharest correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says diplomatic circles were discussing the possibility of British oil interests in Rumania being transferred to Russian control Soldiers are guarding the offices of all the foreign oil companies and preventing the removal of documents. NOTHING KNOWN OF REPORTED ULTIMATUM. IN TURKISH AND SOVIET CIRCLES IN LONDON. (Received This Day, 9.10 a.m.) LONDON, July 10. Turkish and Soviet circles in London declare that nothing is known of the reported Soviet ultimatum to Turkey concerning the Dardanelles.