TO SIGN PACT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 139, 25 March 1941, Page 6

TO SIGN PACT

REPORTED YUGOSLAV ACTION.

REGENT’S POSITION DELICATE.

POPULAR SYMPATHY FOR GREECE,

THE POWERS’ SERIOUS VIEW • (United Press Association— Copyright. (Rec. 1.10 pan.) LONDON, Mar. 24. It is announced in Belgrade that the Cabinet crisis has been solved. MKonstantinovitch has been reinstated as Minister without Portfolio, M. Ikonitch has been appointed Minister tor Social Affairs and M. Nikotoyitch.Minister for Agriculture. The Premier (M. Tsvetkovitch) and the Minister lor Foreign Affairs (M. Markovitcli) are reported to bo going to Vienna for signing the Tripartite Pact at noon tomorrow. ' . . The War Minister (M. N'etditcii has ordered all troops to be confined to barracks from to-day. Largo formations of German troops have been seen in the Strum Valley, marching southwards, since yesterday. The foreign editor of the “Dany Eixpress” says that after the week-end demonstrations against Germany no Yugoslav Government would allow the German Army to use the country as a corridor for a drive against Greece. If Hitler forced Belgrade to yield to Ins full demands he would risk a civil war in Yugoslavia. This would lead to the founding of a provisional Republic which would whole-heartedly support the democracies.

The diplomatic correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph.” says that Prince Paul’s position is delicate as, though he is not himself democratic at heart, he has to control people who not only are democratic but are extremely spirited. The Yugoslavs, moreover, have, always shown the greatest sympathy for Greece and, unlike Bulgaria, liaye no claims against her. /

BRITAIN’S WARNING.

THE COURTING OF DANGERS.

BETRAYING BEST INTERESTS.

(Rec. 1.40 p.m.) LONDON, Mar. 24. The British Minister in Belgrade has not failed in the Yugoslav crisis to bring home to Prince Paul and his Ministers, without any equivocation, the dangers which in the view of the British Government, they] woiuld court in signing any agreement with Germany. In a Note presented on behalf of hits Government Sir Ronald Campbell urged the Yugoslav Government against betraying its best interests and historic friendships by compromising with the demands of the Axis. 1t may be assumed ' that the Noite also made clear the attitude which the British Government would feel bound to assume in that event.—British Official Wireless.