GERMAN AND YUGOSLAV

Evening Star, Issue 23325, 22 July 1939, Page 11

GERMAN AND YUGOSLAV

THE VISIT TO BERLIN ASSURANCES TO PRINCE PAUL The sun shone brilliantly on the Yugoslav royal visitors, who this morning saw a parade of detachments of all arms of the military forces, and to-night are Herr Hitler’s guests at a gala performance of ‘ Die Meistersinger ’ in the Prussian State Opera House, wrote the Berlin correspondent of ‘ The Times ’ on June 2. Of the political conversations proceeding during the visit it is too early to say much, but their importance is evident from the speech in which Herr Hitler proposed the health .of the Prince Regent at last night’s banquet. In this he assured Yugoslavia that he regarded her present frontier with the Reich as final. This declaration, not to mention the imposing reception given by the Reich to Prince Paul, is regarded here as a complete antidote against the infection of Yugoslavia with British block-build-ing ideas, as well as a basis for bilateral political and economic collaboration -between Yugoslavia and the Reich. Whether, in view of Herr Hitler’s assurance, the Reich can persuade Yugoslavia not to break up the Balkan League is not at the moment clear. There is, however, no doubt what Germany wants, and official circles here point out that Yugoslavia has a technical justification for denouncing the pact in the failure of Turkey to consult with the other signatories before contracting the British alliance. HERR HITLER’S SPEECH Herr Hitler, in the course of his speech last night, said: — “ German friendship for Yugoslavia is not only a spontaneous friendship. It received its depth and its power to endure in the tragic confusion of the Great AVar. The German soldier then learned to esteem and respect his extraordinarily brave opponent. I believe the reverse also happened. This mutual respect found its confirmation in common political, cultural, and economic interests. In the present visit, therefore, not only do we see a living proof of the rightness of our feeling, but from it we also derive the hope that German-Yugoslav friendship will develop further and become ever greater. “ In the presence of Prince Paul we see, too, a happy opportunity for an open and friendly exchange of views, an exchange which—of that I am convinced—can only be fruitful to both nations and both States. I believe that all the more since now that through historical events Germany and Yugoslavia have become neighbours with a common frontier determined for ever, a firmly founded confidence between them will not only ensure lasting peace but. beyond that it can also represent an element of appeasement for our nervously excited continent.”

THE PRINCE’S REPLY. Prince Paul, in reply, expressed his appreciation of the - warm welcome which he had received from the Puhrer, under whose determined leadership and constant direction the German nation is realising one of the most brilliant epochs in its history.” The Yugoslav people (he continued) have learned to appreciate all those qualities of the German nation which have lead it to its unity and to the powerful development of its spirit and culture. In their struggle for unity and in their efforts to build up their own culture the Yugoslav people have also found in Germany and still find to-day a splendid example of national discipline, order, labour, and joy in creation. Thanks to a proper view of the vital interests of the two neighbour peoples, relations between Yugoslavia and Germany, as well as friendly contacts between the two countries, were finally determined years ago. “ This visit of mine is likewise a demonstration of the determined will of the Yugoslav nation to live and collaborate with the German nation in an atmosphere of ipeaoe and friendship. Therefore I am glad that, in the words of your Excellency, there are expressed once more the solemn assurances that the great German Reich also wishes to establish and confirm friendly collaboration with Yugoslavia, in that it recognises Yugoslavia’s independence as well as the frontiers which, since last year, bind us in lasting neighbourliness. Thus I see not only conditions for a favourable development of still closer bonds between Germany and Yugoslavia, but also an appreciable contribution to the consolidation of peace in this part of Europe. THREE MILES OF TROOPS.

Prince Paul began his day by laying a wreath on the War Memorial and then drove with Herr Hitler along the three-mile front of troops drawn up in Enter den Linden and the Charlottenburg Chaussee to the saluting base. They were met there by, among others, Baron von Neurath, the Reich Protector for Bohemia and Moravia, who yesterday had a long conversation with Herr Hitler on the complicated political problems of the autonomous Czech State. The proceedings opened with a fly past in formation of some 250 Hen schell bombers and Messerschmitt pursuit aeroplanes. In other respects the parade was a small edition of Herr Hitler’s birthday parade, lasting some 2J hours, as against the four hours of the former. Infantry, cavalry, engineers, artillery horse and mechanised; antiaircraft and anti-tank units, armoured cars and tanks, passed in broad columns, the rear being brought up by throe tanks of a type not previously seen in public. Each has a triple turret and is armed with two guns and machine guns, and observers estimate their weight at about 30 tons. The Prince Regent has conferred on Field-Marshal Goering the Grand Cross of Karageorge, the highest Yugoslav order.