FINAL WARNING GIVEN YUGOSLAVIA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 71, 25 March 1941, Page 7

FINAL WARNING GIVEN YUGOSLAVIA.

ADVICE BY POWERS.

Eleventh-Hour Efforts To Prevent Joining Axis.

1 liited Press Association. —Copyright. (Reed. 2..'!() p.m.) LONDON", Mar. 21. Kle\out h-hour efforts to prevent Yugoslavia signing the Axis Pact, have been made by Britain, Ku.-sia, Greece and Turkey. The British' Minister's Note was delivered to M. ( inear-Markoviteh as a final warning. It declared that Britain would notcondone the signing of an agreement which would inevitably range Yugoslavia on the side of the Axis. It is believed that the Note declared that \ ugoslavia could expect to lie treated like Bulgaria and Rumania if she capitulates.

Jugoslav people, as news of the Axis pact leaks out, arc demonstrating more and more violently. Montenegrin feeling is so high that it threatens open revolt in the streets. Belgrade is strewn with pamphlets threatening assassination of members of the Government who hu\c agreed to Accept the Axis demands.

'I ho opposition extends even to Croatia and Is particularly strong in the arniv.

The (Government replied to a demonstration by clamping down the severest censorship and putting troops into barracks under the eves of their commanders, besides banning public meetings.

More and more officers are offering their services to Greece. The latest deserters include four generals and three high officers of the King's Own Guard.

Reports are circulating in Belgrade that il. Gabrilovitcli, the Yugoslav Minister to Moscow, may go to London to organise a "Loyal Yugoslav Committee,'' and eventually lead a Government recognised by Britain.

Hundreds of protests continue to pour in to Prince Paul, the Senior Regent to Cabinet. All senators of the Agrarian party and the lnde[>cndent Demociatic party have resigned. The Democratic l )al ty demanded tluit the Government reveal to the people the German terms. The police have had to intervene to protect CferniiUlii. A number of antiAxis meeting* were held in the streets.