NOT JOINING AXIS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 45, 3 December 1940, Page 5

NOT JOINING AXIS.

TURKEY’S ATTITUDE CLEAR.

BULGARIA’S NEUTRALITY.

(United Press Association —Copyright.)

LONDON, December 1. Turkey has made her intention of not signing up with the Axis quite clear. The Italian radioi has been saying that Turkey is about to join the Axis Powers, but this lias drawn a definite denial from the Turkish radio at Ankara.

The Ankara radio said that Italy had tried to invade the Balkans on two flanks, but- had failed utterly. ' The two principal Axis nartners are putting round a report that Bulgaria is their belligerent ally, but there is no evidence of it in: Bulgaria, and the Moscow radio emphasises Bulgaria’s desire to remain neutral.

In Jugoslavia the Regent (Prince Paul) has again expressed that country's desire, for independence, with a policy of peace and co-operaton with all her neighbours. Prince Paul called on the people to remain level-lieaded in the face of difficulties.

The Belgrade correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain reports that while Prince Paul was making his speech appealing for solidarity, Croat separatists are believed to have attempted to kill three leading Jugoslavs at Zagreb. Bombs were placed outside the homes of the Chief and Deputy-Chief bf the province of Croatia and also outside the home of the Vice-Premier (Dr. Mntchek), who is the leadefr of the Croat Peasant Party. A few windows were broken, but there were no casualties. Meanwhile the two junior Axis partners, Rumania and Hungary, are at loggerhead's. Yesterday, on the anniversary of the union of Transylvania with Rumania, there mere demonstrations in both countries.