TURKISH RESOLVE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 October 1940, Page 5

TURKISH RESOLVE

WILL DEFEND DARDANELLES TO BITTER END STATEMENT BY ANTONESCU. ENGAGEMENT OF GERMAN TEACHERS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, October 15. The political crisis in the Balkans appears to be heightening, but the position is still most confused. The Turkish Ambassador in Bucharest is reported to have acquainted the United States and Soviet representatives that Turkey will respect all her commitments to Greece and is of the opinion that the concentration of Italian and German troops is aimed principally at the Dardanelles and Syria, which Turkey would defend to the bitter end. Turkish subjects in Rumania have been advised to liquidate their affairs before November and prepare to repatriate at a moment’s notice. In Bucharest General Antonescu, in a speech at a reception to the members of the German Military mission, said: “We are engaging great teachers for a reorganisation of our army. Germany’s international development is necessarily based on economic and military facts and not illusions.” OIL WELL FIRES REPORTS IN CONFLICT. REGARDING EXTENT OF DAMAGE LONDON, October 15. A message from- Bucharest stated that three oil wells have been completely destroyed by fire near Baicot. The Rumanian censor suppressed reference to the cause. German firefighters went to the scene a'fter Rumanians had brought the fires under control. Bucharest radio later reported that the fires were extinguished in 45 minutes and work was proceeding normally. Reports generally do not agree. Two news agencies state that all three wells were destroyed after fires lasting three hours. NO VITAL CHANGE POSITION IN RUMANIA. NEED FOR TREATING REPORTS WITH RESERVE. In authoritative circles in London the situation in Rumania is regarded as showing no vital change, the 8.8. C. reports. It is emphasised that reports from Bucharest should be treated with considerable reserve, including those relating to oil wells being on fire, that Russian troops had entered Rumania, that the Turkish Ambassador in Bucharest had given certain information about Turkey’s attitude and that Turkish subjects had been advised to get their affairs in order, to be ready to leave at the end of the month. Another reports speaks of Germany using Rumania as a base for an advance into Russia. The Russian wireless quotes an official Tass Agency denial that negotiations are proceeaing between Russia and other Balkan countries and Britain and that Russia had been advised in advance that German troops were going to Rumania.