BALKAN CRISIS TRENDS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 120, 14 February 1941, Page 7

BALKAN CRISIS TRENDS

Defence Of Turkey HITLER MAY ACT CAUTIOUSLY

Troops Still Stream To Rumania

illy Telegraph-Press Assn. —Copyright.)

LOX DOX. February 12

The certainty of ati early German occupation of Bulgaria, as a springboard for a drive to the south and south-east, or both, is even more unreservedly accepted m the neighbouring countries today as the stream of German troops and war material.- continues unabated across Hungary and Rumania.

Because the Turkish attitude is vitally important, much attention is being directed to discussion in Turkish diplomatic circles, where it is assumed that tlie Germans, in tlie event of the occupation of Bulgaria, will adopt methods which will cause the least alarm to Bulgaria's neighbours. To avoid provoking Turkey, the German occupation might be restricted to western Bulgarin, from which she would be able to threaten Salonika if the Greeks resisted German pressure to make peace with Italy. This would create a militarv problem which would directly interest the English, the Greeks, and tlie Yugoslavs rather than the Turks.

Should Germany advance in eastern Bulgaria toward tlie Turkish frontier, some Turkish circles consider that the Allies should move against Bulgaria from Thrace before Bulgarin is completely filled by Germans. Reuter's correspondent at Ankara says that well-informed circles in Ankara assume that neither the English nor the Turkish General Staffs desire action which would jeopardize the defence of the Straits. They also recognize that the strength of the Turkish army lies in defensive rather than offensive measures. Bulgarian Diplomacy. Meanwhile, the Turkish Government is maintaining close contact with. the British Government, though it is reported to be not yet convinced that a German march is imminent. Puckish general opinion, however, lias given up Bulgaria for lost. The Sofia correspondent of "Tlie Times” emphasizes the almost complete unanimity in Bulgarian official ami political circles that Bulgaria must stay out of the war anil that any resistance to the German army across the Danube would lie suicidal. The Bulgarians, however, believe that the arrival of German troops may bring Turkish military action, and therefore Bulgarian diplomacy, both in Ankara and Sofia, is desperately attempting to secure a Turkish guarantee that a German passage across Bulgaria would not be considered a casus belli against Bulgaria.

According to information from Ankara. Hie German penetration of Bulgaria Ims not gone as far as fir. Cliurehill suggested. Observers on the Rumanian bank et the Danube say that German troops anstill building pontoon bridges ami massing great quantities of supplies ready to cross tlie river into Bulgaria. It is estimated in Belgrade that on an average 40 trains n day are carrying German soldiers through Hungary toward Rumania. Military supplies are taking the same route from Germany to Rumania. Recall of Ministers. The Rumanian Government iias recalled its Charge d’Affaires and members of the Legation from London. The Belgian and Dutch Governments have recalled their Ministers from Bucharest. The Belgrade correspondent of "The Times” savs special measures have been taken against Turkish citizens. Seven Turkish journalists are reported to have been arrested for possible connexion with the murder of tlie German, Major Doering. Increased passive defence p recautions that have been taken in Bucharest include an order to night patrols to shoot at sight all persons not responding immediately. The guards at the British and Turkish Legations have been trebled. “The Times” says that Hitler has made contact with a notorious Macedonian committee in Bulgaria whose chiefs arc now in Germany or Germanoccupied territory. They are particularly hostile to King Boris, ami therefore are welcome tools for Hitler.