AWAITING BALKAN BLITZ

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 113, 6 February 1941, Page 7

AWAITING BALKAN BLITZ

Position Of Bulgaria Desperate NAZI MOVE NOW ALMOST CERTAIN IB’ -I’eieiErnph. — Press Assn.—Copyright.) Received February 5. 10.30 p.m. LONDON, February 5. The Sofia correspondent of “The Times” says a German move through Bulgaria may now be considered almost certain. Bulgaria’s position has developed gradually from difficult and delicate to desperate and tragic. She is not expected to be able to retain her independence for more than a few weeks. Great diplomatic pressure is being exerted to induce her to sign the Three Power Pact, a draft of wheih Colonel Draganoff, Bulgarian Minister in Berlin, Ims delivered to Sofia. Since a German “proposal” means a demand, it is unlikely that Bulgaria will be able to decline again or postpone her decision. It is reliably reported in Bucharest and also in the Bulgarian Danubian ports that Gerinan military preparations have reached their final phase. Hundreds of lorries are massed on the roads leading to Bulgaria. Observers on the Bulgarian side of the southern Danube have seen the Germans preparing barges and pontoons. * German “technicians” are installed in almost all the large Bulgarian towns and also at strategic points in northern Bulgaria. “Tourists” who are flooding the leading Bulgarian cities will undoubtedly take over control the moment Germany launches her Balkan blitz.

Tli<- Bulgarian tragedy will begin when Turkey officially declares that the passing of foreign troops across Bulgaria will be dangerous to Turkish interests. The Turkish army may not wait till tlie Germans reach the Turk-ish-Bulgarian frontier, Thus Bulgaria may immediately become the centre of Balkan military operations which would certainly lie ruinous to the country. The Bulgarian forces manning the Turkish-Bulgarian frontier may easily be dragged into the operations, and it is unlikely that any Bulgarian commander would agree not to oppose the Turks even if ordered to do so from Sofia.

This seems part of the German plan, because after clashes on the TurkishBulgarian frontier Sofia’s pro-German Government might seek German help against Turkish aggression. On the contrary, strong opposition is developing among the moderates and Communists, both of whom are requesting the Government to sign a Russian-Bulgar-ian pact of military assistance, but tlie army, whose high officers are completely under German influence, will not tolerate this, even were the Government willing.

M. Bagrianoff, the Bulgarian Minister of Agriculture, and a staunch proGerman, has resigned, it is believed as the result of a quarrel with the Premier, Professor Filoff, over the question of the passage of German troops. The resignation may lead to a serious crisis. The Ministry of Agriculture, which Professor Filoff has taken oyer, is second in importance to tlie Premiership.