Imperial Valley press., 1939-09-26
Russ Diplomacy
Takes Center of
Europe War Stage
Continued From Page

too. The Nazi U-boat campaign,
which has sunk at least 80 vessels,
aroused resentment in the Scandi-
navian neutral countries but it
forced suspension of wood pulp and
other shipments from Sweden to
England and was reported likely
to result in retaliation by the
Swedes to cut down on Germanys
iron supply.
On the diplomatic front, almost
all important moves centered
around Moscow, which has been
reported as likely to have a hand
in the next final peace gesture
by Adolf Hitler. Berlin reported
that such gesture by Germany
and possibly italy was considered
likely but there was not the slight
est indication that it would find
favor in Great Britain or France.
More probably it Will be move by
Hitler to throw blame for the con-
tinued war on the allied powers
If possible.
The diplomatic maneuvers origi-
mating in Moscow were of a diff
ferent character. The Soviets have
thrown out their feelers to the Bal
tic states, to Rumania, to Jugo-
slavia, Bulgaria and Turkey-witn
strong hint that Russian diplo-
macy is backed by military power
The Baltic states, especially Es-
thonia, have been alarmed. the
sudden airplane flight of the Es-
thonian foreign minister, Karl Sci
tiers, from Moscow to Tallinn Mon
day, almost at the hour that the
Red army reached the Esthonian
frontier, must be fully explained
before it will be known whether
the Soviets are negotiating for a
trade agreement or demanding
more far reaching cooperation.
On Russia's southwestern from
tier, the Rumanian government Of
ficially declared that it was not
worried about the intentions OF
Moscow. although certain precau-
tions admittedly have been taken
on the Soviet frontier. Further
more, propag ganda pamphlets were
distributed in Bessarabia, the ter
ritory that Rumania took from
Russia after the World War. But
at Bucharest, the authenticity OF
Moscow reports that the frontier
had been closed was denied and
relations with Russia were describ-
ed as good.
Farther westward, the Red army
moving slowly in its occupation
of the so per cent of Polish soil
allotted to Moscow-was reported
moving up close to the frontier OF
Hungary, which has long been un-
der German domination yet never
has gone over to the Nazis. The
Hungarians have renewed diplo-
matte relations with Moscow.
Bulgaria consented to establish
ment OF an air line from Moscow
to Sofia and began trade negotia-
tions with Russia, repeatedly with
the purpose OF diverting some agri-
cultural supplies which Germany
usually takes to Russia.
Turkeys relations with the So
viets, however, appeared to be OF
greatest Importance to the alliec
powers. French dispatches reported
that Moscow was giving the Tur-
kish government formal assurance
during the visit of the Turkish
foreign minister that Russia would
not permit any tampering with the
status quo in the Black sea-that
is. that the Soviets would prevent
Nazi expansion to that area.
Thus, the allied powers believe.
there is yet chance that Hitler
and Joseph v. Stain will disagree
or that the Soviet's bid for domi-
nate power in eastern Europe will
at least nullify much Of the Nazi
design in that area and cut Hitler
off from resources on which he Is
counting to fight long war IN
! the west.