TURKEY AND BULGARIA

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 13241, 17 January 1941, Page 5

TURKEY AND BULGARIA

NON-AGGRESSION PACT MENACE OF GERMAN TROOPS I OCCUPATION OF BULGARIA BELIEVED IMMINENT London. Jan. 15 Bulgaria is reported to be seeking a military pact with Turkey, with the aim of preventing any German attempt to march in. Diplomatic circles in Istanbul state that negotiations have been taking place for a non-aggression pact between Turkey and Bulgaria. Negotiations are said to be far advanced. It is felt that Bulgaria is menaced by German troops massed in Rumania) and wishes the negotiations to culminate in something still closer.

The Times Sofia correspondent says it is considered almost certain that Bulgaria will not be in a position to oppose a direct move by German armies in Rumania. Almost all well-informed observers are inclined to the belief that a German occupation of Bulgaria is imminent and also that M. Filolf. the Prime Minister, last Sunday tried to show the world that the Bulgarian Government and people are opposed to it.

M. Sarajoglu, Turkish Foreign Minister, yesterday received Admiral Sir Howard Kelly, Lieutenant-Gener-al Sir James Marshall-Cornwall and Air Vice-Marshal Elmhurst, who are representing the Middle East command in the Ankara conversations. Uneasiness in Rumania

No light can be thrown on the reported summoning of the Rumanian Prime Minister, General Autonescu, to Berlin, which Rumanian and, German officials in Bucharest deny. However, -the Bucharest correspondent of the Daily Express says General Antonescu has already left the capital in a special train, and is reported to be on his way to Berlin. The correspondent adds that the Rumanian General Staff is becomingrestive about the size of the German “instruction” army. Three German divisions are stationed in the Dobruja, immediately northward of Bulgaria.

The official Berlin radio station at Sofia announced to-night that the 1941 class of conscripts, due for calling up dh March 1, must report to the local military. commands tomorrow.

The Turkish radio at Ankara announced that the Rumanian Ministry of Marine has declared Rumanian territorial waters to be a danger zone, no reason being given. From Bucharest, it is revealed that Germany imported 1,450,000 tons of oil from Rumania in 19 40, compared with 1,285,000 tons in 1939.