MAY STAND ASIDE

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 118, 12 February 1941, Page 7

MAY STAND ASIDE

Turkish And Russian Policies CONFLICTING VIEWS OF ATTITUDE LONDON, February 10. '['he conclusion of London authorities that Turkey will give immediate help to Bulgaria in the event of a German attack is premature, according to reports from Ankara.

The German concentrations nt Rumania are being increased considerably, and a Bulgarian breakdown is possible. Nevertheless, Turkish help is now thought to be improbable. The Turks recall that the Bulgarians rejected generously-offered help in the past, thus placing Turkey at a strategical disadvanToday Turkish policy is essentially national, and this alone will determine when she shall . act and also what form such action shall take.

The Rome radio announced that the editor of the Yugoslav newspaper “Vreine,” who is an Axis supporter, says that the tension between Turkey and the Axis Powers lias diminished. Turkey, lie says, refused a British demand for naval bases and for permission to send troops across Turkey. Turkey will defend herself if she is threatened, but such a throat no longer exists from tlie Balkans. According to most authoritative sources in Bulgaria, Britain Ims categorically warned the Bulgarian Premier. Professor Filofl’, that the Royal Air Force will bomb the Gorman lines of communication immediately German troops march on to Bulgarian soil. There is no confirmation of this in London. Demand To Filotf. Mr. Churchill’s speech made a profound impression on all political authorities, and all Hie leaders of the Parliamentary Opposition formed a joint deputation to Professor Fiioff demanding full information about Bulgaria’s future foreign policy, in view of the German military preparations in Rumania, They declared that Bulgarin is not ready and is unwilling io participate in niiy military action actively or passively. A majority of Hie deputation asked Him Bulgarin should sign Hie proposed pad of militarv iissisHince with Russia and also that in no circiuus'iinees should Bulgaria break off relations will, the western democracies. Professor Fiioff declared that Bulgaria would never initiate aggressive action against her neighbours, lint he did not mention the possibility of active co-operation between the Balkan nations.

A Sofia message says that M. Soboleff, General Secretary of the Soviet Commissariat of Foreign was believed to lie in Sofia. Il was understood be was sent by the Soviet Union to get information on Bulgaria’s action toward (lie expected German action in Hie Balkans and also on the

Soviet’s proposal for a military alliance which was communicated to Bulgaria two months ago. The Belgrade correspondent of I lie ■■Daily Telegraph” says that l lie wisest suspend judgment on Stulln's inleiiI ions. The diplomatic correspondent of ••The Tinies" says it is by no means certain thill any definite proposals were made two months ago for a defensive pact. Tin- Russian attitude arouses the suspicion that the Soviet is looking for an excuse not to help the Bulgurs to resist German pressure.

YUGOSLAV TENSION

(Received February 11. 9.10 p.m.) LONDON. February 11.

Tile Belgrade correspondent of the “Daily Express" says the Yugoslav Press' usually prints a lone daily commentary ou tlie Bulgarian situation, lint this inis suddenly slopped ami the atmosphere has changed overnight from mild optimism to tension.