SOFIA IN VIRTUAL STATE OF SIEGE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 106, 6 May 1943, Page 5

SOFIA IN VIRTUAL STATE OF SIEGE

COMMUNICATIONS CUT Attacks Against Nazi Elements N.Z. Press Association—Copyright Rec. 11.30 a.m. LONDON, May 5. Something serious is happening in Sofia, the Bulgarian capital, which is sealed off from the outside world, says the British United Press correspondent at Istanbul. All external communications were broken last night, but before this happened some details of a virtual state of siege had leaked out. Curfew has been imposed and all traffic has stopped. Only bakeries and dairies are allowed to open and only children and servants are allowed in the streets at stipulated times, and they must be accompanied by soldiers. The excuse stated by the authorities is the need to arrest assassins of the former Bulgarian police chief, Panteff, but this is merely the latest in a series of attacks against proGerman elements throughout Bulgaria. The secret "Liberty Front" organisation issued a manifesto stating: "Members of the Liberty Front shot Panteff as punishment for treason against democracy. Other traitors will end the same way." The manifesto called for the expulsion of Germans from Bulgaria. About 700 persons are reported to have been arrested in Sofia after the May Day demonstration. Similar disturbances have occurred throughout the country despite police opposition.

Berlin radio announced that measures were being taken in Sofia to wipe out a gang of foreign agents which had recently been attacking Bulgarian patriots. Berlin radio announced to-night that the curfew in Sofia was lifted to-day, having been operative for two days. The radio added that more than 1000 arrests were made in Sofia during a two-day police search.

Berlin radio announced on Monday that a man and a woman, concealed behind a staircase, shot dead Panteff, the former Bulgarian police president, when he entered his house. The radio added that Panteff was the victim of a vvilitical crime. The assailants, who escaped, were believed to be the same couple who were held responsible for a series of recent political assassinations in Sofia. Panteff, when police chief, was noted for his drive against the Communists.

ALLIED COMRADESHIP

MR. EDEN AND AMBASSADORS British Official Wireless Rec. 1 p.m. RUGBY, May 5. Proposing a toast to Ambassadors, Ministers and representatives of foreign Governments at a Mansion House luncheon in London, Mr. Anthony Eden, Foreign Secretary, said that many were present who during the worst days of 1940 still kept faith in Britain. They had shared the blitz with tne British and would share the hour of victory. "We shall wojk together in the peace of the • years to come," he added. * The Belgian" Ambassador, Baron Cartier E. Marchienne, in replying, said that Mr. Eden's presence there, notwithstanding his heavy duties, showed that events were taking a happier turn*of late, and that peace was nearer fhan they had had any right to anticipate some months ago.

AIR CO-OPERATION

FOURTEEN IJNEMY SHIPS SUNK

Rec. 2.30 p.m.? RUGBY, May 5. Apart from* the support given to our ground forces in Tunisia, the air forces operating in this theatre have shown-remarkable flexibility in the variety-of targets they have attacked. It was disclosed to-day that between April 21 and. May 2 pilots attacking shipping ..in the Mediterranean reported that ■ they had sunk 14 enemy ships, set on fire 20 and damaged another 10. Among the ships sunk or set on fire were two destroyers and a cruiser. The enemy's airborne supply route was also heavily hit by planes from North African bases, and in a period of several weeks 193 transport aircraft were shot down. These transports would be capable of carrying 636 tons of goods or 6000 fully-equipped soldiers.