MOSCOW FORTHRIGHT

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 142, 12 March 1941, Page 7

MOSCOW FORTHRIGHT

('By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received March 11, 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 10. A report’that the German Minister to Athens called on the Premier, ' M. Korizis, and handed him what the Belgrade radio described as “some proposals” provides an indication that the crisis in the Balkans is reaching a climax. Meanwhile, Yugoslavia’s defence measures are proceeding rapidly, •and .scarcely any young meh remain in Belgrade.

Opposition to any agreement involving German occupation is growing throughout the country and organizations are being formed in the provinces to fight the German troops if they march over the frontier. The song “Tipperary,” which is widely regarded as the British anthem, is constantly be- , ing sung and played in Belgrade cabarets. Moscow radio is frequently repeating fierce attacks in Bulgarian against “Bulgaria’s traitor King and Government.” Though Russia, according to the “Daily Mail’s” Belgrade correspondent, is too weak to make an open armed stand in order to stem the German drive through the Balkans, she is employing every possible underground method to prepare a Bulgar national revolt against the Boris regime and its German masters., Bulgars Escape. It is known that a number of important Bulgars who are notoriously hostile to Germany escaped from the country last week, including the former premier, M. Massanov, and several leaders of the Bulgar Orthodox Church. There seems to be no doubt that hostility against Germany is growing, partly because of the peopla’s deeprooted antipathy toward foreign troops and partly because of the intensive Russian- propaganda. , Belgian, Dutch and Polish diplomats on their arrival at Istanbul from Sofia report that there are 200,000 German troops in southern Bulgaria, one-third of whom are on the Turkish frontier.' New York reports that the Washington correspondent of the “New York Tinies” says information has been received that Germany is preparing to ' send an air force and other most modern equipment to Albania to reinforce the Italians and drive the Greeks from the country. It is believed, the correspondent states, that this plan is not' especially welcome to the Italians, who had hoped for a single-handed victory over the Greeks. The same information stresses that in spite of the Italian reverses Mussolini remains firmly in the-saddle and is exercising real power internally. The -...London “Daily Telegraph’s” correspondent at Athens says Greece’s internal solidarity was reaffirmed today when delegations representing 500,000 workers declared their determination to fight to the end. In a speech to the delegates the Premier, M. Korizis, said, “Greece will continue her struggle to impose respect for her independence, integrity and liberty.”