POGRADEC FALLS TO GREEKS

Evening Star, Issue 23744, 27 November 1940, Page 7

POGRADEC FALLS TO GREEKS

Advancing on Argyrokastron BLOWS TO ITALIAN MORALE High Officer and Staff Captured (British Official Wireless.) Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright RUGBY, November 26. (Received November 27, at 10 a.m.) The Greek communique issued in Athens last night recording the advances and the capture of Italian war positions is supplemented by news reaching official quarters in London. In the northern sector J;he Greeks, after taking Moskopolis where no Italian troops were found —advanced 15 kilometres westwards. Pogradec, to the north, has also fallen and Italian columns advancing thither from the north were attacked by British aircraft and dispersed. While there is nothing particular to report in the Pindus sector, the Greek advance to Argyrokastron on the Epirus front met some opposition from Italian reinforcements. There is no official information whether the town is yet in Greek hands. In the coastal sector the Greek troops are now beyond Philates and some have landed behind the flanks, cutting communications. The view generally held in official circles is that the Italians are trying to restore the situation from their own resources. Since the operations began Italy has put an equivalent of two new divisions into Albania. A sinking in Italian morale is considered to be shown by the capture in one instance of a commanding officer and his staff, two company commanders, and the’ whole equipment of a battalion. Reports are officially confirmed in London that villagers have been executed and hostages carried off by the Italians in • their retreat. The Greek Ministry oi Public Security states that the enemy bombed Corfu for nine hours on Monday. There was very small damage, with only a few victims. ' Nearly 400 bombs were dropped. The enemy also bombed Lixuri, killing six people, including two babies. A Government spokesman announced that the military •ituation was very favourable. “We are advancing along the whole front,” he said. An official Greek statement says that 8,000 additional Italians have been captured. This helps to confirm unofficial despatches that the Italian retreat is increasingly like a rout, although the precariousness of the situation varies according to the sectors. ; After leaving strongly-fortified positions on Mount Ostrovitse, the Italians are attempting to form a new line on the Tomor mountains for the protection of the Italian stronghold at Berat. The Greeks have the utmost difficulty in keeping touch with the fleeing enemy, many of whom have discarded their arms and »re hiding in the mountains, where they are hunted out by Greek detachments. One report suggests that the Italians are •ven leaving Elbasan.

Meanwhile a new danger threatens the Italians as the Shkumba Elver is likely to overflow its banks.

BRITISH AIR SUPPORT

RETREATING ITALIANS HARASSED

ITALIAN TRANSPORT COLUMNS BOMBED SUCCESSFUL ATTACK ON DURAZZO (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 26, (Received November 27, at 9.53 a.m.) British airmen continued to support the Greek offensive, and carried out successful attacks against the Italian forces in Albania without loss. The headquarters of the British Air Force in Greece announced that important military stores and largk jmotor transport columns were successfully attacked in the Tepelen area. Three separate motor and mule columns which were being rushed to the relief of the hard-pressed enemy troops north of Koritza were thrown into complete confusion by low-level attacks. Many vehicles were set on fire, lorries overturned, and mules stampeded. All these operations were carried out in unfavourable weather. There was low cloud and rain over the mountains and ice-forming conditions. All our aircraft returned safely. A Press report states that a flightlieutenant who led one formation attacking Durazzo said; “It was one of the most successful raids my flight has made. We got dead over the,target and dropped bombs smack on the docks and shipping alongside. One salvo fell among the barges, one of which was blown clean out of the water. My observer saw it upside down.” Another pilot stated: “We came down through a hole in a cloud bank over the harbour. The anti-aircraft fire waa very heavy, but we went through and found our targets. I saw two heavy bombs explode dead in the centre of a big ship. Another was on fire.”

ENEMY CIUIMNS THROWN INTO CONFUSION (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 26. (Received November 27, at 1.20 p.m.) A Cairo communique states: Our aircraft continue to assist the Greek advance by harassing the retreating Italians. In the Ebasan district three enemy columns of motor transport, pack mules, and infantry were attacked by machine-gun fire. Three large vehicles were set on fire and many others damaged and overturned. Many mules were killed. The remainder stampeded. It is believed that the infantry casualties were heavy. All the columns were thrown into confusion. Other convoys were attacked, bombs falling on a motor transport and pack mules. Reconnaissance flights were carried out over Sicily and Italian East Africa, and in attacks on large enemy motor transport units near Assab a large fire was started which emitted clouds of black smoke visible for 50 miles. This was close to the scenes of the fires started the previous day. Photographs taken confirm tho damage. Two enemy air raids were carried out on Malta, one on Sunday and the other on Monday. In the first one a C.R.4 was damaged by anti-aircraft fire, and in the second the aircraft made off before they could be intercepted. From all these operations our aircraft returned safely. It is now known that the aircraft reported missing in the raid on Durazzo in yesterday’s communique is safe. DEVASTATION AT ASSAB ITALIAN BASE HAMMERED ADEN, November 26. (Received November 27, at 11 a.m.) The R.A.F.’s thirtieth raid on Assab caused a huge fire. The accumulation of damage is believed to be tremendous.

By special arrangement, Reuter’s World Service, in addition to other special sources V* Information, it used in the compilation of the overseas intelligence published in this issue, and all rights therein in Australis and New Zealand are reserved. Suth at the cable news In this Issue as it to headed hat appeared in ‘ The Timet,' and it tent to this paper by special otrmittioi It should be understood that the opinions are not those of ' The Times ’ uniats expressly stated to be to.

CRACK DIVISION BEATEN BACK

VAIN EFFORT TO STEM RETREAT FURTHER ITALIAN REVERSE LONDON, November 26. (Received November 27, at 11 a.m.) It is authoritatively stated in London that the Greeks have captured Pogradec. The position at Argyrokastron is not clear. Some Greek troops are believed to have been landed on the mainland by ships northwards of Corfu and to have got behind the Italian flank and cut off communications. The Italians are sending all the reinforcements possible to Greece. The Italian prisoners reaching Athens arc much inferior to those taken earlier. Greek reconnaissance units pushed 10 miles westwards of Moscopolye and found no Italians there, but captured the colours of three Italian battalions. The Athens correspondent of the Associated Press says bayonet charges foiled an Italian effort to stem the retreat to the Adriatic. The Italians brought in the crack Forty-second Division direct from Romo, but the Greeks overwhelmed the counter-attack and are continuing the advance. ITALIAN CHAGRIN GENERAL STAFF CRITICISED SUICIDE DF FORMER COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 25. Chagrin at the Italian reversal is reported to be the cause of the suicide of an unnamed former commander-in-chief in Albania, who calculated that 200,000 men were enough for the blitzkrieg against Greece, but an article in the ‘ Regina Fascista ’ gives a more significant indication of the Italian dismay over the Albanian situation. Signor Farinacci, writing in this paper, is the first Italian critic of the Italian General Staff. “ Lack of foresight and military preparedness, and a badly chosen season for military operations caused the happenings of Koritza,” he says, “ but the Italians, feeling that their honour is slighted, are now preparing terrifically to defeat the enemy.” While an Italian publicist was thus castigating Italian leadership, General Sir John Dill sent a message to General Papagos congratulating him on the success at Koritza and praising the valour of the Greek army. General Papagos replied; “I am happy to fight side by side with Britons to drive out the invaders.” TAILS DOWN

THE ITALIAN SOLDIERS EASY PREY TO DESPONDENCY GERMAN ASSISTANCE INEVITABLE ’ (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 25. Discussing the causes and the possible consequences of the defeat inflicted by the Greek forces, which culminated in the capture of Koritza'. 1 The Times ’ says; “The Italian soldier in general is emotional and easily becomes a prey to despondency. If all bad gone well he would doubtless have overrun Greece and been pleased to picture himself as a conqueror, but the shock of unexpected resistance was too much for him because he did not have the necessary store of enthusiasm and could not nerva himself to meet it. That is why it would pay us well to hammer Italy and the Italian forces with all the means in our power before the lessons of the battlefields of Macedonia, Epirus, Taranto, and the Thames Estuary are given a chance to hide. While Hitler may not be sorry that Mussolini has been taught his place and made to realise how helpless he is without Germany’s assistance, it is improbable that he will allow his partner in the Axis to be too seriously humiliated without intervening, but intervention by means of ground forces can only be carried out either by violation of the territory of Yugoslavia or inducing Bulgaria to admit his forces, and perhaps attack either Greece or Yugoslavia herself. The campaign, against Yugoslavia is never one that could be lightly undertaken. There is no certainty that Bulgaria will lend herself to such ignominy —backing the wrong horse for the third time in succession—but we have seen elsewhere what an unscrupulous minority, backed by Nazi influence from outside, is capable of. The season is unpropitious, and Hitler will doubtless prefer to await the spring if the Italian need is not too pressing. Our own difficulties are still very great, but as the position stands, and, however it may develop, we have already derived benefit from the courage of our ally and our own preparedness to take advantage of the opportunity afforded us. We must not rest on these laurels, because there is much to be done, and there may not be much time to do it in equally favourable circumstances.” NO CHANGE IN POLICY NEW EGYPTIAN PREMIER CAIRO, November 26. The Prime Minister, Hussein Sirry. in a speech in the Senate, said; “ I hope tho. Government carries out tho policy of my predecessor. Egyptian patriotism has steered the country towards a policy of safeguarding its interests, integrity, aud independence.”

GERMAN DOCKYARDS

HEAVY RAIDS BY R.A.F. MANY FIRES AND EXPLOSIONS HELIGOLAND ALSO VISITED (British Official Wireless.) Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright RUGBY, November 26. (Received November 27, at 10.47 a.m.) Intense darkness and persistent cloud hampered the work of our heavy bombers when they raided Kiel and Wilhelmshavon last night. At Kiel, states the Air Ministry News Service, the principal objectives were the shipyards, and at Wilhehnshaven naval works and dockyards. T 1 o raids began before 7 p.m. All the aircraft of the first force to arrive over Kiel spent on an average half an hour cruising over the locks and floating docks before dropping their bombs. Through a gap in the clouds the pilot of one aircraft saw and bombed a group of dockside buildings by the water’s edge a short distance from the original target. The pilots of other bombers over later were able to report six explosions, followed by fires. Another pilot later saw very large fires to the west of Kiel Bay. He dropped his own bombs into the fire, and saw a fresh glow light up the clouds. The gasworks at Kiel were also attacked. Some pilots sought other targets. One described how he saw his bombs burst on the docks at Hamburg, and watched a red glow caused by incendiaries. Heligoland was also raided, and three bursts were seen there. At Willemsoord, near Den Helder, explosions were seen in the dock area. One British plane is missing.

NO CHRISTMAS ARMISTICE BRITISH GOVERNMENT'S ATTITUDE LONDON, November 26. (Received November 27, at noon.) In reply to a question in the House of Commons Mr Winston Churchill said the Government v/ould reject any proposal for a period of armistice to commemorate Christmas.

“WITHOUT FOUNDATION ” REPORTS OF NAZI PEACE OFFENSIVE GERMAN NEWS AGENCY'S DENIAL LONDON, November 26. (Received November 27, at noon.) The German News Agency stated that American newspaper reports of a new so-called German peace offensive were entirely without foundation. TRAGEDY AT HAIFA SKIP CAPSIZES AFTER EXPLOSION ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS KILLED HAIFA, November 26. (Received November 27, at 8 a.m.) A number of illegal immigrants were killed when the 11,000-ton Patna, now British owned, capsized after an explosion in the harbour. Altogether 1,771 migrants, mostly Jews, were on board for deportation to a British colony. Most of them swam to safety. Police and soldiers dashed to the rescue, while tugs and launches put out and planes went up and reconnoitred. The cause of the explosion is not known. The harbour has been cordoned off. DUTCH AIRMEN ARRIVAL IN EAST INDIES (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 26. (Received November 27, at 12.25 p.m.) The Batavia radio stated that a group of Dutch airmen arrived from Britain to complete their Hying training. They were first torpedoed and compelled to take to the boats. They returned to England and recommenced their journey. They were somewhere in Holland when that country was invaded, but managed to escape. HEW GERMAN BATTLESHIPS DOUBTFUL ADVANTAGE WITHOUT DESTROYERS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 26. (Received November 27, at 10.20 a.m.) The striking evidence in the official photographs of the R.A.F. success on the targets attacked in recent raids on Germany recalls the announcement by the German News Agency immediately after one attack that two new German battleships are now in service. It is considered that the addition of the two battleships to a fleet already lacking in destroyers for escort purposes may be a doubtful advantage.

QUICK DESPATCH NAZI RAIDERS OVER ENGLAND MARKED SLACKENING IN ACTIVITY (British Official Wireless.) Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright RUGBY, November 26. (Received November 27, at 11.5 a.m.) Most of the small number of enemy aircraft which crossed the south and south-east coasts of Britain to-day were promptly shot down. As against the two German bombers and two fighter bombers destroyed, the R.A.F. suffered no loss. A bomb was dropped, adds the official communique, in a coast town in Susses, doing some damage to buildings and causing a few slight casualties. At a coast town in Kent the enemy delivered a short burst of machine-gun fire, which caused no casualties and very little damage. , 4 An Air Ministry report states that shortly after dark the enemy dropped several bombs in the west of England. Little damage resulted, and the casualties were few, but included some killed. Otherwise there was no enemy activity over Britain last night. FIGHT OFF KENT COAST DEFEAT FOR MESSERSCHMITTS (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 26. (Received November 27, at 1.20 p.m.) A Canadian flight-lieutenant and an English sergeant-pilot, flying on their own, destroyed two enemy fighters on Tuesday, while another was brought down by anti-aircraft fire. A Heinkel 60 floatplane was also destroyed by fighters off the Kent coast. The flight-lieutenant and sergeantpilot were on patrol near Hastings when they gave chase to four Messerschmitts, which split up into two pairs. The flight-lieutenant went after one pair, and as he went into the attack the other two swung round on his tail. The sergeant-pilot at once got on their tails, so that for a few seconds all sis were sandwiched. One of the flight-lieuten-ant’s Messerschmitts disappeared and the other dived to sea level, where he shot it down. The sergeant-pilot chased one of the others the whole way across the English Channel and sent it crashing into the sea near the French coast. The Messerschmitt brought down by anti-aircraft fire crashed off Folkestone.

INTOLERABLE CONDITIONS

LONDON AND AIR RAID SHELTERS OVERCROWDED AND FILTHY DANGER DF EPIDEMICS Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, November 25. Intolerable conditions in shelters were revealed in a ‘ Times ’ leader, which, basing its strictures on Lord Holder’s report, deplores the absence of a central co-ordinating authority to irapi'ove the situation. It says: “ Specific shelters, notably in the East End, suffer from known defects and are scenes of known scandals. They are consistently and vilely overcrowded, and lack in some cases all sanitary provision, and where such provision exists in a primitive form it lacks all privacy. They lack any reasonable degree of lighting and also leak. They have mud floors. Hundreds pass the greater part of their days under these conditions—stench, filth, vermin, darkness—conditions which have continued without improvement and sometimes even with gradual deterioration for 10 weeks. Those appalling shelters are exceptional, but they constitute a sore which, unless it is cured, may result in widespread pollution of minds and bodies.” The leader declares that “ persons endangering the health amenities of fellow shelterers cannot be removed, verminous adults are uucleansahle, and otherwise offensive persons cannot be compulsorily removed. There are cases of persons suffering from infectious diseases who had to stay or were allowed to stay for many hours in a shelter before removal could be arranged. It seems, therefore, that there is not only divided and unco-ordinated responsibility, but also in some directions a lack of the necessary powers for any authority.” The ‘ Daily Mail,’ in a leader, asks why, after Mr MacDonald prpmised shelter improvements, the conditions are unchanged in some tube stations. They may be better in so far as the human animal has adapted himself, but they are worse in so far as the season of infectious disease and lowered vitality is upon us. Doctors have warned that if influenza and diphtheria become rampant among the tube population they will produce unprecedented epidemics.”

DUEL ACROSS CHANNEL

BRITISH AND GERMAN GUNS PROTECTION AFFORDED CONVOY LONDON, November 26. (Received November 27, at 12.45 p.m.) English and German long-range guns resumed the cross-Channel duel this morning. A single shell landed in Dover, after which the British bombarded the enemy positions. The German shelling of a convoy last night consisted of two-gun salvos from Cap Gris Nez at intervals of three minutes. Several batteries joined in the bombardment, shaking the Kent coast. The duel continued with unabated fury for an hour, in the course of which the British long-range guns plastered the enemy emplacements with a heavy curtain of shells and screened the passage of the convoy. The Germans fixed 150 shells in 120 minutes. The firing then slowed down and the convoy safely steamed out of range. Observers report that not a single enemy shell scored a direct hit.

SHIPPING LOSSES LOWER WEEKLY AVERAGE (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 26. (Received November 27, at 9.10 a.m.) British, Allied, and neutral mercantile losses due to enemy action for the week ended November 17-18 totalled 59,534 tons. This is slightly less than the average for the whole war, but considerably less than the average since the intensified attacks began at the end of May. The total is made up of 14 British ships (50,449 tons), two Allied (7,769), and one neutral (1,316). The Germans claim to have sunk in the same period 131,340 tons —an exaggeration of 120 per cent. It is authoritatively stated that it should not bo inferred from the reduced shipping losses that we have overcome the menace from both submarines and air attacks, but it is felt we shall eventually conquer the problems. ALLEGED ESPIONAGE AUSTRALIAN SENTENCED IN JAPAN TOKIO, November 26. (Received November 27, at 8 a.m.) The alleged espionage cases concluded with a sentence of seven months' imprisonment on Leonard Woolley, an Australian connected with the Rising Sun Petroleum Company in Yokohama. The .sentence was suspended for two years, and consequently Woolley will soon be proceeding to Australia. Woolley was arrested late in July. He was held the longest period, and his sentence was the lightest.

ARMY AND AIR FORCE NEW CO-DPERATiON UNIT SPECIAL PLANES BEING DESIGNED (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 26. (Received November 27, at 8 a.m.) Senior Air Ministry officials outlined to the Press the task of the new army co-operation unit in the co-ordination of military and aerial strategy. Special types of aircraft, it was stated, are being designed for army co-operation work in the light of experience gained in France. All British strategy, it was pointed out, has so far been conditioned by the numerical superiority of the German air force, which has prevented frustration of their plans on land and sea and in the air. All Britain’s efforts are therefore devoted to attaining mastery of the ait by day and night, mastery of the sea approaches, quelling submarine attacks, and mastery of the Mediterranean. Of prime importance was the stimulation and fostering of every kind of air cooperation with the army and the training of the Air Force working wdth the Army. The system of communication and control enables the Army to know what it wants of the Air Force, and the Army has to make known its requirements to the Air Force. The latter had to supply these. In other words, the Air Force produces a force capable of doing the job and the Army takes the force and uses it for its own purposes. The officers selected for the high command in the Army Co-operation Unit must have seen long service with the Air Force. Service with the unit is for five years, and is voluntary. When the time comes again in this war for land operations the two forces should work as one service, combining not in land strategy or air strategy, but in the strategy of victory. The dominions, it was revealed, are providing squadrons for co-operation. In some eases they are acting with their own troops, but in others they are the “ eyes ” of the British home forces. NEW AMERICAN BASES LAND IN BAHAMAS GROUP NASSAU, November 26. (Received November 27, at 8 a.m.) The Assembly passed an Act providing for the acquisition of land in Mayaguana for American bases. The proposal is that the Bahamas Government purchase the laud, the Imperial Government reimburse the Bahamas, and the American Government reimburse the Imperial Government. Mayaguaua is one of the Bahamas group. RESIGNATION DENIED AMERICAN SECRETARY FOR LABOUR WASHINGTON, November 26. (Received November 27, at 8 a.m.) The White House denied that the Secretary for Labour, Miss Frances Perkins, had resigned.

SOUTHWARD THRUST

GERMANY URGING JAPAN ON MORE SCHEMING IN CHUNGKING Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright SHANGHAI. November 26. (Received November 27, at 8 a.m.) It is rumoured that Herr Stahmers is en route to the Far East to renew pressure on Tokio for the resumption of a southward thrust. Simultaneously the Germans in Chungking are reported to have intensified their efforts to persuade Marshal Chiang Kai-shek that the democracies are unable to save the Chungking Government, for which reason Chiang should accept an honourable peace with Japan and thereafter co-operate with Japan in the southward drive, which would be aimed at Singapore and the Dutch Indies in an effort to dismember the British Empire. A message from Tokio says Admiral Kiyoshi Hsegama has been appointed Governor-General of Formosa, replacing Mr Seizo Kobayashi. He is the first active admiral assigned to Formosa since 1918, and as a consequence commentators are attaching importance to the appointment in connection with Japan’s southward policy. From Shanghai it is reliably reported that a group of prominent American business men drafted a message to the State Department urging a 200,000,000dol credit for Chungking immediately and other assurances of the utmost American aid in an effort to offset the German pressure on Chungking. SOVIET AID TO CHINA JAPANESE BARGAINING COSTLY VENTURE IN NORTH MANCHURIA CHUNGKING, November 26. American newspaper correspondents ascertained that the Free China Government expressed complete confidence that M. Stalin will refuse to make any deal with Tokio which would lessen Soviet aid to China or release the Japanese army, which is at present immobile in Manchuria and Mongolia, for use against China in other areas.

It is understood that General Tatekawa, the Japanese Ambassador in Moscow, has actually suggested total demilitarisation of the Siberian-Man-churian border, in exchange for which Japan would cede the major portion of North Manchuria to Russia. This would relieve Japan of a surprise attack from Siberia and would also release many divisions and planes for use in a southward push. North Manchuria, except for its strategic importance, has been a costly disappointment to Japan. Colonisation schemes there have been an utter failure. Gold and other mineral deposits are reported to be unimpressive. The forests have not repaid for the work on. them, while the 1940 crops have failed.

FRESH OFFENSIVE LAUNCHED BY JAPANESE IN CENTRAL CHINA HANKOW, November 6. (Received November 27, at 12.45 p.m.) Japanese army headquarters in Central China issued a statement that the Japanese army has launched a fresh offensive to east and west of the Han River as the result of “ further activities by the Chinese forces.” FRONTIER CLASHES THAILAND AND INDO-CHINA REPORTS FROM JAPANESE AGENCY HONGKONG, November 26. The Hanoi correspondent of the Domei Agency states that after spirited fighting Indo-China forces repulsed invading Thailand .troops beyond the frontier line on Sunday morning. Thailanders near Waboware. 100 kilometres south-west of Battambang, in Western Cambodia, started brisk activity, and penetrated Cambodia across the boundary on November 23. Indo-Chinese forces immediately engaged them. BRITAIN AND SPAIN FINANCIAL AGREEMENT I (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 26. ' (Received November 27, at 9.13 a.m.) An early announcement is expected of the formal signature of the AngloSpauish financial agreement which was initialled in Madrid at the Bank of Spain by the Director-General of the Institute, Senor de Moneda, and a representative of the British Treasury. It is anticipated that Sir Samuel Hoare and Senor Suuer will sign the agreement, which regulates payments between the sterling area and Spain, also settles certain matters of detail which caused friction. HEAVY PENALTY SABOTAGE IN AMERICA t WASHINGTON. November 26. (Received November 27. at 1.30 p.m.) The Senate unanimously approved legislation imposing a IO.OOOdcd fine and 10 years’ imprisonment for sabotage of defence industries.

BALKAN SITUATION

BULGARIA NOT JOINING AXIS WADY OF RUSSIA AND TURKEY Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright SOFIA, November 26. (Received November 27, at 8 p.m.) Informed quarters endorse the German view that Bulgaria is not joining the Axis. It is authoritatively learned that it now appears certain that Bulgaria will not be involved in war this winter. The visit to Berlin of Professor Filoff and M. Popoff has been cancelled, apparently as the result of the successful insistence by Bulgaria that she was unable to move before a clarification of the Russian and Turkish attitudes. BERLIN S NEW CAUTION INGLORIOUS TURN TO NAZI DIPLOMATIC OFFENSIVE (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 26. (Received November 27, at 10.2’ a.m.) The statement emanating from official quarters in Berlin that Slovakia’s signature to the Three-Power Pact completed the series is noted with interest in London. Earlier ‘obviously inspired reports by the Italian wireless suggested that Bulgarian representatives were on their, way to Berlin. to sign, and ever since the King Boris and Hitler meeting totalitarian propagandists have been suggesting that Bulgaria is on the point of accepting subservience to the Axis. It appears, therefore, that whatever plans there were in Berlin to bring pressure upon Bulgaria to enter the “ new European order ” they have been at least post* poned. Observers in London see some reflection of the Italian military defeat in Albania in the sudden caution in Berlin. The Greeks’magnificent campaign and the (evidence of the effective aid which the British forces have been able to give the victims of aggression in the Middle East have had widespread influence. The firm attitude of Turkey and tho loyalty of Egypt to its obligations, as again reiterated by the new Prime Minister in Cairo to-day, have also been important factors in strengthening the resolution of those States most nearly exposed to bullying from Berlin. The Nazi diplomatic offensive which opened with fanfares on M. Molotov’s visit to Berlin has taken as inglorious a turn as Mussolini’s military adventure against Greece.

BULGARIAN MINISTER TO BERLIN i 4 CONFERENCE WITH HIS GOVERNMENT LONDON, November 26. (Received November 27, at noon.) The Berlin radio announced that tha Bulgarian Minister to Berlin returneu to v Sofia to confer with his Government. The radio also stated that neutral circles in Ankara noticed a remarkable relaxation in the political tension on. Tuesday, adding that this development was connected with the conversation between von Papen and Bay Saracoglu.BRITAIN'S ATTITUDE TO BULGARIA STATEMENT IN PARLIAMENT , (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 26. (Received November 27, at 10.5 a.m.)’ Mr R. A. Butler, in the House of Commons, said Lord Halifax welcomed the opportunity of stating that provided Bulgaria does not join or assist,; either actively or passively, the enemie* of Britain, or attack her Allies, it i* Britain’s intention to do her best ta ensure that in any eventual peace settlement to which Britain is a party the integrity and independence of Bulgaria will .be fully respected. STUDENTS IN SOFIA COMMUNISTS AND NAZIS CLASH LONDON, November 26. (Received November 27, at noon.) Nazi and Communist university students in Sofia battled with chairs aften the Nazis had attempted to distribute leaflets claiming an outlet to th* iEgeaa for Bulgaria. Numerous arrests were made. RUSSIA AND BULGARIA DISCUSSION ON “ GENERAL SITUATION * LONDON, November 26. (Received November 27, at noon.) The Associated Press of Greai Britain’s Sofia correspondent authors tatively stated that Russia and Bub garia had discussed “ the general situation.” NORWEGIAN SHIP LOST WAS SAILING TO BRITAIN LONDON, November 26, (Received November 27, at 1.30 p.m.) l The Norwegian vessel Touraino >va« lost while voyaging to Britain. All on board wore saved.