SOVIET MOVES

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20922, 29 September 1939, Page 5

SOVIET MOVES

DOMINATION IN BALKANS GERMANY NOT PLEASED DIFFICULTIES DEVELOPING (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 29, 1 p.m.) NEW YORK, Sept. 28 The Moscow correspondent of the New York Times states that a wellinformed Embassy official familiar with the Kremlin view is most positive that Herr von Ribbentrop’s visit does not mark any triumph for Germany, but the new stage is gradually developing difficulties. The first of these is Russia’s secret mobilisation, for which Germany sought an explanation in vain. The second stage is Russia’s suspected pressure to force Germany to agree to an advanced Soviet demarcation line in Poland, cutting off Germany from contact with Rumania, depriving Germany of Galician oilfields, and eventually exposing German Poland to Communist penetration by propaganda. The third stage is the RussianTurkish negotiations, which it is believed will end with the Soviet replacing Germany as the dominant Power in the Balkans. It is believed that the Russian plans concerning Turkey and the Balkans advanced before Germany was informed concerning them, upon which Germany demanded that Herr von Ribbentrop be invited to Moscow before the arrangement is finalised. An Ominous Attitude Similarly the Soviet’s ominous attitude towards Estonia is held to presage the loss of German influence in Estonia, which has become a Soviet protectorate. None of these diplomatic setbacks is considered to preclude Herr von Ribbentrop from securing supplies from Russia, from the Balkans and for Poland’s future. Partition of Europe On the contrary, other wellinformed circles consider Herr von Ribbentrop’s visit as a further consolidation of Russian-German cooperation and the revelation of another stage of this as a preliminary to the disclosure of a full military pact. The Russian and German partition of Eastern and Southeastern Europe is expected as a result. The Baltic States are likely to be divided into spheres of influence, Russia receiving a major share and a Polish buffer State being established, Russia contributing part of the territory allotted her. Germany would be allotted Hungary and most of Rumania, Russia controlling Bessarabia, Rumania’s Black Sea coast, and Bulgaria, at least economically. The Embassy view that the visit is not a triumph is supported by the Berlin correspondent of the United Press, who reports that Russia’s increasing interest in the Balkans is engendering anxiety at the possibility of a Russian Pan-Slavic movement. Interest In Balkans Informed quarters believe that Herr von Ribbentrop's conversations cover the Soviet’s awakening interest in the Balkans, which hitherto have been regarded as exclusively Italian and German concern. The inclusion of the Danzig leader, Dr. Foerster, in the delegation is believed to indicate economic discussions. It is pointed out that the Polish demarcation has given Russia the .Vistula outlet to the Baltic.