A SUMMARY OF THE SITUATION

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 137, 6 March 1941, Page 8

A SUMMARY OF THE SITUATION

Yesterday morning, by action of the British Minister to Sofia, diplomatic relations with Bulgaria were formally broken off. The Minister is expected to leave within two or three days. The Turkish Government yesterday was to consider a reply to the message received from Hitler. American diplomatic observers have expressed doubts as to whether Turkey will march to the aid of Greece. Other comment, including a new denunciation by the Turkish radio of Hitler’s aggression in the Balkans, indicates no change in Ankara’s mood. German forces continue streaming in large numbers to southern Bulgaria. Simultaneously it is reported that Russia has increased her forces on the Rumanian frontier, and Rumania has mobilized a large army. Yugoslavia, which is believed to be now under a close German threat, is also taking more military precautions. The Albanian fighting has again been stationary. Greek artillery and R.A.F. fighters report successful actions.

British advances in Africa continue, with the capture of large numbers of prisoners. Former Italian territory in Ethiopia and Somaliland has been placed under military rule. Two motorized battalions of United States marines are reported to have embarked, probably for Samoa and Christmas Island, thus closing a strategic gap and bringing American forces closer to Singapore.

Japan is reported to have asked that the Vichy Government’s reply to proposals for the settlement of the Thai-Indo-China dispute should be delivered by noon yesterday. It is revealed that the air raid on Cardiff on Monday night was exceptionally heavy and destructive. The R.A.F. for the third time in a week bombed Cologne, Germany.