REAL NEUTRALITY

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

REAL NEUTRALITY

Britain’s Reminder To Bulgaria NO ALLIANCE DEMAND i British Official Wireless.) (Received February 13, 7 p.m.; RUGBY, February 12. For the first time since its delivery the Bulgarian newspapers today comment on Mr. Churcltm_Sspeech and its reference to the Bulgarian situation, and, though a suggestion is made that Mr. Churchill desires that the country “fight in the war on the side of Britain." the main emphasis is laid on Bulgaria's deterniinatioH to preserve strict neutrality.

It is pointed out in London, however. that the Prime Minister never suggested that Bulgaria was called upon to take an active part in the war on the side of the democracies. Mr. Churchill merely reminded Bulgaria that if she proclaimed herself neutral she should avoid actions such as those which have brought Rumania to her present, deplorable position, actions wholly incompatible with strict neutrality, which involves obligations as well as the establishing of safeguards. So far the uncertainty as to whether these obligations have been fulfilled has not been resolved by the Bulgarian Government. In reminding Bulgaria of the territorial reductions which she suffered after the last war, Mr. Churchill's sole purpose was to dissuade her from adopting a policy which, however immediately attractive, is certain to prove m> less disastrous today than it did a quarter of a century ago.