"SPRING IS COMING”

Evening Star, Issue 23497, 10 February 1940, Page 11

"SPRING IS COMING”

HEAR-EAST FEUS ATTACK NEUTRALS PLACING ARMIES ON WAR FOOTING TURKEY EXPATRIATING GERMANS " BUDAPEST, February 8. South-eastern neutrals are placing their armies on a war footing. Rumania is augmenting the 1,000,000 men at present under arms and expediting -her defences, even if this will reduce her ability to supply products to Germany. The troops are requisitioning scrap iron for armaments. Hungary has made scrap iron a State fconopoly. Yugoslavia is reported to be preparing an army of 500,000 under Prince Paul, and Turkey maintains 200,000 on the Russian border, despite a demand for man-power in the devastated area. \ According to reliable sources - in Istanbul, Turkey will reject the protest which it is understood Herr von Papen was instructed to make concerning the seizure of the Krupp shipyards, in regard to which the only explanation forthcoming from Turkish official quarters is a cryptic " Spring is coming." It is expected that the seizure of other German property will follow. It is also learned that hundreds of German experts employed in Turkey will be discharged and sent to Germany. These •include technicians in factories, . advisers to the Government, and profesaors in. Istanbul University and the Ankara Agricultural College. Germans have always been numerous in Turkey •net had almost a monopoly over some businesses until the outbreak of the war. The number of Erupp dismissals ■was 20. An apparently, inspired article in the Press referring to General Weygand's review says the Allies have counted the possibility, of a Russian attack across the Balkans- towards the" Dardanelles. The Turkish armies will give adequate support to the defending forces. It is ■aid here ' that' Germany regards the Turkish move as inspired by Britain and France in another attempt to broaden she conflict. GERMANY MINIMISES DISMISSALS ,'.,"'.' LONDON. February 9. . The Istanbul correspondent of the [Associated Press says the seizure of Xrupp's shipyards coincides with rising fears that South-eastern Europe jwill be, involved in war in the sprjng, and with General Weygand's review of large ownbers of British and Indian jtrobps in Egypt. Those dismissed total SO. Marjne3 denied their entry. The Berlin correspondent of the Associated Press of America says those in authority minimise the seizure, declaring that' such things happen in Turkey and can usually be resolved. FURTHER DISMISSALS HI GERMANS TO RE EMPLOYED ISTANBUL, February 9. (Received February 10, at 11 a.m.) The Government to-day dismissed 100 German technicians . employed in the [War and Naval Ministries, and gave them 48 hours' notice to quit the country. Officials state that no German in future will be employed in State-owned industries. This will involve a further several hundred dismissals. The measure is declared to have been (laken in accordance with the powers Toted by the National Assembly to the Government for protection of national defence. DISCOVERY Of SABOTAGE PLOT LONDON, February 9. • (Received February 10, at 11 a.m.) The Istanbul correspondent of the dissociated Press says it is reliably stated that the dismissal of the Germans is the outcome of the discovery of a .widespread German sabotage plot in the "STORM COMING" CREEK PREMIER'S SIGNIFICANT STATEMENT ATHENS, February 9. '' {Received February 10, at noon.) Speculation has been aroused by a ppeech by General Metaxas, in which he fetid: "Difficult times momentarily Ifcreaten us. The door is open to Hunkary and Bulgaria to join us in encountering the storm that is coming." LOSS OF H.M.S. SPHINX CASUALTIES ANNOUNCED (British Official, Wireless.) RUGBY, February 9. Februray 10, at 10.30 a.m.) *The Secretary of the Admiralty regrets to announce the following casualties from H.M.S. Sphinx, which was damaged by enemy air attacks on February 2 and capsized while being towed to port on February s:—One officer killed; four missing, believed dead; three ratings killed; one died from injuries; 45 missing, presumed #e*d.