A SUMMARY OF THE SITUATION

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 124, 19 February 1941, Page 8

A SUMMARY OF THE SITUATION

In the strained situation in the Balkans an agreement of "perpetual friendship” has been signed by Turkey and Bulgaria. Naz: propaganda claims that this is a diplomatic victory that seals the late of Greece, but in London the most complete confidence in I. iirkisc loyalty is stated, and the agreement appears to be regarded in Ankara as a move for peace in the Balkans. The belief that Germany, in her pressure on Yugoslavia, plans to revise further some of the I’.il kan borders, is more widely held, but a resolute spirit has been found in Yugoslavia itself. Reports of tension in the bar East are declared by a Japanese spokesman to be needlessly alarming. Japan, he said, "is preparco to mediate anywhere throughout the world to help restore normal conditions.” He added that Japan felt increasing misgivings at Britain and American moves. His conciliatory statement is in striking contrast to the tone of the Japanese Press, which, under German infm enec. has launched a series of attacks on Britain. The British operations are developing satisfactorily "in all sectyi ■ of the African fronts.” The effect on Italian nerves of the closing in of the Imperial armies in East Africa and of the native risingis indicated by news that several thousand women and children and even officers have moved to the frontier of French Somaliland begging refuge. The effect of the R.A.E' raids on the Dodecanese Islands i shown bv the stories ot Greek escapees who say Italian air activity there has practically ceased. Eamine is said to be widespread through out the islands. As well as bombing Nazi bases oil the Dutch coast. the Royal An Force has made what is believed to be its longest operational flight, leaflets having been dropped in southern Poland.