EVENTS IN BALKANS

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 13307, 5 April 1941, Page 8

EVENTS IN BALKANS

COMPLETE UNITY BETWEEN CROATS AND SERBS

London, April 3.

While Count Telegi’s death promises a crisis in Hungary, all reports suggest a further quickening of events in Yugoslavia. Belgrade newspapers carry bold-faced denials of the German allegations of terrorism and call upon the people to make every preparation for war. The remaining Germans in Belgrade, approximately 5 0, have been instructed from Berlin to depart Immediately. The Stefani News Agency Belgrade correspondent says Yugoslav mobilisation and lack of a satisfactory statement from the Government has rendered the situation more and more grave. The Rome radio says Yugoslavia has completed mobilisation. In an interview with the Greek newspaper “Kathimerini,” General Simovitch, Yugoslav Prime Minister, says that as an honest soldier he was bound to admit that it was Greek heroism which showed the path Yugoslavia should tread. “You won't expect me as a soldier to make‘political declarations. Words are superfluous at present. The Yugoslav nation was hostile to none. Her aimy seeks only to safeguard independence and national dignity, which we shall firmly defend. “We are ready to be friends with all people surrounding us. The maintenance of friendship depends on them alone.” Dr. Matchek, leader of the Croats, is reported to have accepted the VicePremiership in the Simovitch Government. The Belgrade newspaper “Politika” says that lies and calumnies about terrorism in -Yugoslavia don’t come from illegal secret stations but from recognised State-controlled institutions. Talk of 20,000 refugees from Yugoslavia is absurd. The actual

number is about 2000, the paper says, and they left at Germany’s request. “Novadaba” published, a dispatch from Splitz describing touching scenes on the occasion of the departure of Italians who have lived in Yugoslavia and enjoyed fraternal relations with Yugoslavs. The Italian Consul witnessed these scenes and is in a position to deny the lying news from foreign radios, the paper says, Berlin has ordered the entire German Legation, except the Charge d’Affaires and the Military Attache, to return to Germany.