Bulgaria’s Future

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23220, 6 January 1941, Page 4

Bulgaria’s Future

The appointment of a leading Nazi, M. Gabrorsky, to, be Acting-Prime Minister of Bulgaria measures the progress of Germany’s diplomatic preparations for the long-expected military crisis in the Balkans. M. Filoff, the Prime Minister, is reported to have gone to Vienna to consult medical specialists and, possibly, high government officials. From its earliest days. National Socialist Germany has sought to strengthen the ties between Bulgaria and Germany, both defeated nations in the last war. After the slump and the Ottawa Agreement, which practically reserved the British market for home-grown and Empire produce, the countries of sputh-eastern Europe were willing to resort to Dr. Schacht’s barter trade plans to clear their surplus stocks of farm produce. No country entered the German economic system more completely than did Bulgaria, During 1938 58 per cent, of all Bulgaria’s imports came from Germany, to whom she sold 63 per cent, of her exports. During the present war, this unofficial economic alliance has become more complete. Bulgarians have been rationed for certain commodities to maintain, and even to increase, supplies for Germany. Politically, however, Bulgaria has succeeded in retaining a very large measure of independence. The promise that Bulgaria would remain loyal to the Balkan family of nations has often been repeated by M. Filoff and his Foreign Minister, M. Popoff, during the last 12 months. But the return of southern Dobruja under a German “ dictate ’’ and the German occupation of Rumania and virtual occupation of Hungary are events which have greatly weakened Bulgaria’s power to resist Germany militarily and diplomatically. Within Bulgaria there has been a parallel development undermining the nation’s will to retain political independence. When M. Filoff succeeded M. Kiosseivanoff as Prime Minister last year, the change was freely interpreted as a victory for parliamentary control and for moderate government and as a renewed affirmation of the nation’s desire to retain its independence and freedom from foreign entanglements. The appointment of M, Popoff as Foreign Minister in the new Cabinet was the cause of quite as much favourable and hopeful comment. A friend of King Boris, M, Popoff had been Bulgarian Ambassador in Jugoslavia. His appointment was interpreted as the prelude to an effort to improve relations with Jugoilavia. As if to confirm these pre-

dictions, the “ Ratniji ” (the Bulgarian National Socialist Party) was banned for allegedly plotting the overthrow of the State. Whether observers were mistaken in their forecast of M. Filoffs intentions, or whether M. Filoff is no longer the real executive authority in his country, is not clear at present. It may be suspected that M. FiloiT and his collaborators in Bulgaria’s “all-party” Cabinet have lost their influence. The posting of German troops along Bulgaria's frontiers has coincided with an outburst of demands, apparently widely supported, for the return of both Greek and Jugoslav Macedonia. A statement of Bulgarian claims on Jugoslavia by a deputy in the Bulgarian Parliament last month created such tension that Jugoslav troops were moved up to the Bulgarian frontier. Bulgaria’s neutrality is now more precarious than ever before. The announcement this morning that further military preparations will be undertaken in Bulgaria seems to indicate that the aay of Bulgaria's choice as to whether she will; or will not, fall in with the Axis plans is at hand.