YUGOSLAV POLICY

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 139, 8 March 1941, Page 11

YUGOSLAV POLICY

Audacious Counter-move Needed, Say Greeks (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.— Copyright.) (Received March 7, 7 p.m.) LONDON, March 6. Turkey, which has not been lulled by Hitler’s assurances, has taken new defence measures, and no alteration in her policy is expected. Diplomatic circles in Istanbul say that Hitler’s message to the President, General Inonu, contained: — 1. A statement of the German desire for close relations with Turkey and Germany’s readiness to send a highly-placed statesman to Ankara for discussions or to receive a Turkish representative in Germany. 2. A denial that Germany threatened the Dardanelles. 3. A denial of aggressive intentions toward Turkey. 4. A lengthy exposition of events after the Versailles 1 reaty, accusing Britain of misusing smaller nations, especially Turkey. The Ankara correspondent of “The Times” points out that Hitler s message does not give assurances to respect Greece.

The Turkish Press does not discuss the message.

Germans in Turkey suggest that Germany wants a corridor to the Aegean Sea, but not necessarily to Salonika, presumably with the idea of cutting communications between Turkey and Greece before attacking Salonika. The muddy ground in Thrace, the region covering north-western Turkey and the extreme northeast of Greece, is unfavourable for military operations for two or three weeks. A message from Ankara says German troops are now along the whole of the Bulgarian-Turkish frontier, though not in great strength. The air raid defences of Istanbul were tested last night. More mines are being laid in Turkish waters, and all Turkish ships are being placed under a commission which will licence ships for foreign voyages. Russian Attitude. The country is calm, but some British nationals and also Jewish refugees from Europe are withdrawing their money from the banks. Russia’s attitude is the chief subject of discussion in Turkey. The newspaper “Ikdam” declares that unless Russia has decided on suicide she will not let Germany come nearer her lifegiving arteries. The Soviet army organ, “Red Star,” which is the first Russian newspaper to comment on the occupation of Bulgaria says: “The German aim is obvious; it is to neutralize Turkey.’’ Taking a detached view, the paper says that the struggle for the adherence of Turkey and Yugoslavia will become more intense. Both the Axis Powers and Britain were concerned only with the strategic position in the Balkans, it says. An Athens message says the international diplomatic struggle is attracting more attention than the war. The Greeks are entirely defiant in face of the German military threat and are satisfied with Turkey’s attitude. The Greeks emphasize that this is a time for big measures and big risks. Yugoslav Aim “Unchanged.” The Belgrade radio announced: Yugoslavia i sconscious of her obligations of strictly maintaining a policy of peace and strengthening her security. Yugoslavia did not change her policy at the beginning of the war and there is no particular reason why a change should be visible now.” Speaking at the Leipzig Trade Fair, the Yugoslav Minister of Trade,Dr. Andres, said there was no parallel in history for the speed With which relations between two countries had developed as in the case of Yugoslavia and Germany, where competent circles hoped relations would not only be maintained, but extended. The Rome radio today said that Turkey had no reason to fear any threat to her security. Indeed, she would benefit from “stabilization in the Balkans.” The broadcast added that Turkey’s policy of alliance with Britain was a betrayal of her true national principles. The German radio announced that 800 Bulgarian workmen had left for Germany.