GERMANS FACE TURKS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 136, 5 March 1941, Page 9

GERMANS FACE TURKS

Large Forces Now On Frontier MANY WOMEN LEAVE ISTANBUL LONDON, March 3. Strong forces of Germans are concentrating on the Turkish frontier, where seven divisions of Bul- ' garians are also massed. More Turkish troops have moved to the Greek and Bulgarian frontiers. . , ' Turkey has called up naval reservists. The Turkish General Staff, was in session all day. The Germans have completed the occupation of the Black Sea port of Burgas, in addition to Varna. German submarines which were assembled in a factory at Constanta are reported to have arrived at both these ports. Many women and children are leaving Istanbul for Ankara. The semiofficial Turkish newspaper “Tan” says « that if the Germans start marching to Salonika through Bulgaria they will certainly meet the British—probably ' Turkish and British forces combined. The Turks do hot minimize the danger to which they are exposed, but the German bogy does not frighten them. “Unreliable” Reservists. The Bulgarian mobilization is progressing, but reservists are receiving rifles without ammunition, because of Government fear of their unreliability. Arrests among oppositionists, mainly journalists and politicians, continue. The Government, till further notice, has closed the frontier, and nobody may leave without a special permit from the War Office. The Sofia correspondent of the Associated Press of America said that hundreds of shouting and cheering Bulgarian legionnaires, members of the local Fascist organization, paraded the streets this afternoon, and that the city is assuming the aspect of a military camp. The international telephone lines have been cut or are jammed with official calls, the correspondent says. Reports filtering in say that the entire country is being filled up with German troops, who are rapidly moving to the south and south-east. Bulgarian Fascists when parading demanded “Down with Yugoslavia.” The Bulgarian Government has accepted the resignation of its Minister in London, which he tendered on Saturday as soon as he knew that bis country had thrown in its lot with the Axis Powers. He received the formal acceptance of his resignation by telegram today.