NAZI INFILTRATION CONTINUES

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 119, 13 February 1941, Page 7

NAZI INFILTRATION CONTINUES

More Opposition . In Bulgaria STAND BY TURKS Question Of British Counter-Mov es (By Telegraph —Press Association—Copyright.) (Received February 12, 8.20 pan.) LONDON, February 11. A large number of giant three-engined troop transports have been flying across Hungary to Rumania and Bulgaria, that is the only new fact of importance concerning Nazi action that can be established amid a welter of rumours in the Balkans. Telephones and even the railways to Bulgaria were most erratic throughout the day, feeding each new rumour, but it is apparent that German barges, tugs and steamers operating on the Danube have already carried out orders to be on the Lower Danube by next Saturday. The Free French news agency records an important concentration of mechanized forces in Rumania, opposite Vidin, north-west Bulgaria. The “Daily Mail” says it is reported that there are now 750,000 German troops in Rumania. A “Daily Express” correspondent on the German frontier says that spring weather has ousted the winter and all seems ready for a climax.

The Turkish official newspaper “Politika” says that trainlcads of German soldiers wearing civilian overcoats are crossing into northeastern Bulgaria from Dobruja and Varna. It adds that German officers declare, “Our goal is the Bosphorus and the Mediterranean.” [The Bosphorus is the strait which enters the Black Sea and which separates Thrace and Istanbul from the main part of Turkey.] The Turkish Press today unitedly announced that Turkey is prepared for anything, and the Ankara radio declared: “Turkey’s army is in Thrace. Should any aggressor choose an unforeseen direction, let him not forget that the Turkish army does not consist of merely one division in Thrace but of a nation ready for duty .at the first signal from General Ineunu.” The Turkish Press and radio assailed Bulgarian policy and urged Bulgaria even now to join her Balkan neighbours in resisting Germany, adding that if Bulgaria submitted she would deserve her enslavement plus the punishment which would result from an Allied victory.

Overlate though it seems, considerable opposition to Germany has also arisen in Bulgaria, where the Opposition leader, and even some Germanophile members of Parliament, have told the Premier, Professor Filoff, that Bulgaria will face a revolution if she does not resist occupation. The Communists are organizing anti-German and anti-war propaganda throughout Bulgaria.

Bulgaria is jittery, and the tension has been heightened by an explosion at the railway station of Dragoman of a 42 tank-wagon train carrying aviation spirit to Germany. The blazing spirit set fire to the station and the fire lasted for hours and was visible from Yugoslavia. Sabotage is freely mentioned, but there is no accurate information as to the cause. . Soviet Inscrutable.

Greece has ordered Greek women and children home from Bulgaria. Russia’s attitude remains a complete mystery. M. Soboleff, General Secretary of the Soviet Commissariat of Foreign Affairs, is reported to have told King Boris that the Soviet Union would not consider Bulgaria an independent State if she did not offer resistance to the German infiltration. Rumanian sources suggested that the Soviet might recognize de facto German occupation in exchange for air and naval bases on the Rumanian and Bulgarian coasts. The Bulgarian police seized the passport of a United States diplomatic courier, Mr. Raymond Leddy, who was en route to Istanbul. His legation energetically protested, while the Turks have allowed Mr. Leddy to enter without a passport. Britain’s breach of relations has greatly impressed Rumanian political authorities, who are anxiously asking why Britain wants the freedom of

action. It is generally believed that this presages reprisals, possibly by arms. The staff of the Rumanian Legation in London is ready to leave.

The “Daily Telegraph’s” Belgrade correspondent says that Britain is believed to be planning counter-moves to check the German Balkans drive. The Yugoslav Ambassador to Turkey has returned secretly for a conference with his Regent, Prince Paul, presumably bringing a British offer to Yugoslavia resulting from the British-Turkish military talks. It is considered extremely likely that the Turks asked Britain to endeavour to broaden the anti-Nazi front in the Balkans before committing themselves to a war outside Asia. Yugoslavia’s primary demand for acceptance of the British proposals would be a definite undertaking of military assistance from Britain. Bulgarian Denial. It is reported from Bucharest that following the break in diplomatic relations between Britain and Rumania, military measures hove been speeded up throughout Rumania, including the extension of the blackout to important cities, oil fields and ports. Troop movements occupy all the railways. A number of German nurses have arrived. Sofia reports that the official Bulgarian news agency announced at midnight: “With reference to Mr. Ohurchill’s statements on February 9 that the Germans entered Bulgaria and occupied aerodromes, we are authorized to declare that these do not correspond to reality.” The official denial by the Bulgarian Government of Mr. Ohurchill’s statement that the Germans are already penetrating Bulgaria is welcomed, but it would be considered more convincing if it were more specific. (British Official Wireless comments.)