The Bay of Plenty Times MONDAY, APRIL 7th, 1941 THE BALKANS ALIGHT

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 13308, 7 April 1941, Page 2

The Bay of Plenty Times MONDAY, APRIL 7th, 1941 THE BALKANS ALIGHT

Following liis usual technique and. with the assistance of his two henchmen, Goebbels and von Ribbentrop, Hitler has declared war on Yugoslavia and Greece. Baseless stories of atrocities and false attributions of British interference, were the foundations of Hitler’s tirade which preceded the march of his troops into the two countries which had dared to uphold their honour and freedom. The move has no doubt been forced upon Hitler, firstly because his position is daily losing strength while Britain’s strength, is growing, secondly because the invasion of Britain plan seems to have been thwarted, and thirdly there is the necessity of retrieving some of his lost prestige over the Yugoslavian coup. His words impressed no one outside his own deluded countrymen. From Britain and the United States came immediate promises of aid; Yugoslavia has just signed a pact of friendship with Russia, and Turkey is closely watching the attack on Greece. Both the invaded countries contain worthy fighters, who are already putting up a spirited defence. Hitler may find the Balkans a “tough” proposition as Colonel Knox has said, and this last black deed may lead to his undoing. The move was not unexpected. Mr Anthony Eden and Sir John Dill have been in the East for some weeks, important visits have been paid to the Turkish and Greeks capitals, and their visit was hardly in the nature of a holiday. With such splendid tacticians as the Greek army leaders have proved themselves to be, with the Yugoslav tradition behind that army, with growing British might, and the United States straining every nerve to give full material support, Hitler’s path through the Balkans will not be an easy one. Italy has meekly followed the lead of her senior Axis partner, but can mainly be looked upon as a passenger. Adowa fell in Abyssinia on Saturday, and now comes the news that Addis Ababa, the Abyssinian capital has been entered. Massawa the Eritrean Red Sea port is within an ace of following the lead of the capital, Asmara, and falling to Imperial troops, and Mussolini’s troops in North Africa which were stiffened by the addition of German motorised units-have been halted. Italy, too, will not be feeling too* happy over the fresh menace to Albania with Yugoslavs likely to attack. The news, during the next few days will be fraught with intense interest.