IN THE BALKANS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21177, 29 July 1940, Page 7

IN THE BALKANS

GERMAN PRESSURE ORDERS TO RUMANIA WILL MAKE CONCESSIONS (United Press Assn,—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, July 28 Germany has instructed Rumania to negotiate with Bulgaria and Hungary, according to reports circulating in official quarters in Budapest following Hitler’s interviews at Berchtesgaden with the Rumanian Prime Minister, Dr. Gigurtu, and the Foreign Minister, M. Manoilescu, and later with the Bulgarian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Professor Filoff and M. Popoff. After the talks the Rumanian statesmen left for Rome, and the Bulgarians, who had conferred for two hours with Hitler, returned to Sofia. Slovakian Ministers will be the next to see the Fuehrer. Well-informed German sources stated that Rumania was willing to make concessions to Bulgaria and Hungary. In Budapest, it is understood Hitler told the Rumanian delegates that negotiations must start as early as possible in order to maintain peace in South-eastern Europe. It is reported that he pressed Rumania to cede the southern Dobrudja to Bulgaria and Transylvania to Hungary. Hitler is also said to have expressed a desire for closer relations among Rumania. Bulgaria and Hungary, even to the extent of a milii tary accord. BERLIN. July 28 Hitler received Dr. Tiso and M. Tuka this afternoon. MILITARY PACT? RUSSIA AND YUGOSLAVIA MEETING AXIS PRESSURE SHORTAGE OF GRAIN (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, July 27 Russia and Yugoslavia, says the Daily Express, have moved a step ; nearer to a military pact, with the ! despatch by the Soviet of eight delegates to Belgrade, professedly to re- : sume trade talks. However, under cover of these talks, says the newspaper, Russia ! and Yugoslavia have been discuss- ; ing a military alliance as a counter jto the increasing pressure by the ’ Axis on the Balkans, j The wheat shortage in Yugoslavia j is hindering the trade talks between ! that country and Germany, accord- • ing to a report from Belgrade. Germany insists that Yugoslavia shall ! deliver the remaining quota of 3500 ’ truckloads of wheat, plus a further allotment of 20,000 truckloads of wheat and 10,000 truckloads of maize this year. The Yugoslav newspaper Politka says: “The crop is so bad that we cannot deliver even part of these demands without endangering our own needs. We shall be short of wheat in February and March unless we take drastic measures. It will be impossible also to export cattle fodder this year.” The Helsinki radio stated today that a trade agreement between Russia and Finland was signed on Friday. It provides for a permanent Russian trade mission of ten members in Helsinki. Finnish shipbuilders are negotiating to build ships for Russia. Transport between Finland and the Soviet is improving. Finnish dairy produce is also being sold to Russia. The Royal Calcutta Turf Club has voted £BB,OOO for the purchase of Spitfires, and has also made a large investment in defence bonds.