SOVIET THREAT TO JUGOSLAVS

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26488, 1 August 1951, Page 7

SOVIET THREAT TO JUGOSLAVS

Defiant Answer By Marshal Tito

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 31. Marshal Tito, addressing an audience of 100,000 in Bosnia, hurled defiance at the threats Mr Molotov made recently in Warsaw against Jugoslavia, says the correspondent in Belgrade of “The Times,

"Mr, Molotov’s threats were chiefly for internal consumption in Poland," said Marshal Tito. "For Jugoslavs have no fear qf them and Mr Molotov knows it. “He went to Warsaw to threaten the Polish people and tell them what awaits them if they dare follow Jugoslavia’s example. “The Russians depict the Jugoslav Government as terrible beasts who are swallowing up their people but such statements will not influence the Poles who for centuries have had hard experience of Soviet methods, “It is significant that the warmongering threats should come at a . time when the Russians are releasing dove* of peace all over the place ano showing signs of alleged willingness ,to make agreements. “They are merely employing the old Sazi technique of saying ‘this is our st demand. We want nothing else' in order to isolate Jugoslavia.'

•Topis No One” “But this fools no one. The West knows that Jugoslav resistance is useful to it and that the defeat of Jugoslavia will be the defeat of Europe and the defeat of peace. ‘Tor this reason the West will not permit any bargaining with Russia at Jugoslavia’s expense. ‘•The truth is that the Western countries are giving aid to Jugoslavia regardless of the fact that we are a Communist country. "No political concession has been demanded. The West merely wants a Strong Jugoslavia, and an economically satisfied people because it is more difficult to enslave a satisfied country than a country in which economic life is hard.”

The diplomatic correspondent of the "Glasgow Herald" pays; “All along the Jugoslav frontier armies are in readiness on both Sides and it is to be feared that the satellite armies have been better equipped by Russia than the . Jugoslav armies have yet been equipped by the West, R ‘iffe are now approaching the classic period of the year for Balkan wars and it is significant that odds against war for insurance purposes are reported tp have dropped from 80 to ope a short time ago, to 15 to one last week, “Figures of this kind mean little politically, but they do cast a light on the apprehensions of ordinary people, and there seems little doubt that all Sive rn ® uropB is 2 en ui ne ly apprehen-

“The Intompatability between allowing Marshal Tito to exist and controlling Eastern Europe as it must be controlled against the future is apparent, Causes of war exist, as always, all along the frontier and pretexts are easy to get, it may be doubted |f they ever need be ‘cooked,’ ’’ says the correspondent.