NEW VITAL THEATRE OF WAR

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21247, 18 October 1940, Page 4

NEW VITAL THEATRE OF WAR

From the mass of contradictory reports from the Balkan countries, particularly Rumania, it is impossible to gain an accurate picture of the position, but it is evident that affairs in that theatre are moving rapidly towards a climax. It is stated that there are probably 50,000 German troops in Rumania already and that trainloads are still rolling across Hungary. Such a large concentration certainly means that Rumania is becoming the base for important developments. Germany is supplying the dynamite for the explosion of the whole Balkan community of States. The difficulty is that perhaps no one excepting Hitler and Mussolini knows where or how the charge is to be touched off. Speculation there is in plenty, and lies and subterfuge cloud the whole issue. Germany’s denial of any intention to move into Bulgaria next is about as reliable as her protest that the military occupation of Rumania was not intended. Under cover of such lies and deceits Hitler proceeds steadily towards his goal and the other States awaken every now and then to another accomplished fact. Rumania's rich oilfields are undoubtedly Germany's until they are wrested from her. British, Dutch and American interests in the industry are at the tender mercy of Hitler, for whom it is claimed in Italy that he now has more oil than he requires. Germany is in a position to use Rumania’s oil supplies as a bargaining point with other States whose allegiance it desires to attract. The Germans are alleged to be fixing quotas of oil for the use of Greece and Turkey. Russia, presumably, has sufficient supplies of her own, and therefore the new German bait will not have any great allure. Turkey is reported to have chartered ships to remove her nationals from Rumania, and Turkish newspapers are warning the Axis Powers not to attempt to intimidate Greece and Turkey. From Bulgaria it is reported that Russia and Turkey are negotiating for a pact of military assistance, and Russia is said to be offering Turkey armed support if the Axis Powers make any attempt to seize the Dardanelles. Britain has issued a warning that news from the Balkans must be accepted with extreme reserve in view of the fact that the German propaganda machine has gone into operation, particularly in Rumania. All that is certain at the moment is that the Balkans are becoming one of the most vital theatres of war.