NEW DEMANDS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 3, 15 October 1940, Page 5

NE W DEMANDS

GERMANS AND YUGOSLAVIA.

WARNING GIVEN TO AXIS.

MORE TROOPS IN RUMANIA

LONDON, October 14

The Belgrade correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says the Axis is reported to be demanding military concessions and the abandonment of Yugoslav neutrality. The Balkans correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” reports that the Italian press advises Yugoslavia to end the activity of the British in Yugoslavia,, who are alleged to be carrying on propaganda against the Axis. The Yugoslav Premier (M. Tsvetkovic), in a speech at Belgrade, said: We warn everybody that we founded Yugoslavia with blood, and only so can it bo taken from us. South Serbia is ours and here we fight. No power on earth can take it front, ns.” One hundred and fifty British residents of Rumania are expected to leave in a British ship from the Black Sea port of Gonstanza to-day. A further party will be evacuated later in the week.

Meanwhile the number of German troops in Rumania is estimated to be between 20,000 and 30,000. They now control all strategic points. Their chief officers have been installed in luxury in Bucharest’s most expensive hotels, and their behaviour lias already arousing keen feeling among the residents.

In the Rumanian Army feeling against the German arrivals is reported to be particularly bitter.

Turks Firm and Calm.

Turkish . comment remains firm and calm. It is pointed out in Ankara that invincible Turkish forces stand ready to meet the German Army if it attempts to make its eastward drive through Anatolia. The Turkish newspapers 'also warn Germany that Russia, will not allow the Dardanelles to pass into other hands.

The Soviet has taken precautions The Bucharest correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says informed circles state that Russia is concentrating troops in the Galatea area around Cernauti, which has been converted into a vast Russian army encampment. It is stated in Bucharest that Russian monitors recently saw two Rumanian naval patrol boats on the Danube. Russian river craft stationed in Bessarabia are reported to have penetrated into Rumanian territorial waters.

The German Foreign Office journal reports that there is no truth in the statement that German troops were sent as instructors to the Rumanian Army. They had to go there, the paper states, to protect the Rumanian oilfields.

The British Legation at Bucharest is helping to evacuate all British subjects who wish to leave. It is stated that Sir Reginald Hoare, the British Ambassador, is consistently pressing Rumania for information and explanations. A Bucharest communique states that the former Rumanian Government asked Germany to help in the instruction of the Rumanian Army in new methods of warfare. General Antonescu adopted the. idea, and Germany decided to send a military mission, of which the first group, under the command of Generals Spodiel and Hanson, arrived sit Bucharest to-day. The population of Transylvania enthusiastically greeted the “glorious representatives of Germany.” Alleged British Mowe. The Turkish radio has announced that the Rumanian Minister lor Finance has allocated funds for the maintenance of two German divisions, which are about to arrive in Rumania. At the same time, the Germans have announced that they have taken action in Rumania just in time to prevent a British move.

The Rumanian people have boon assured that the British wore about to bomb the oilfields, but the German announcement does not explain how an infantry division and an armoured division could prevent a move of that sort.

The Huhgarian-Rumauiaa negotia-

tions concerning the implementation of the Vienna award have been broken off. Both, countries have appealed to Italy and Germany to arbitrate. Each blames the other for not carrying out promises and for persecuting the minorities.