BULGARIAN INDEPENDENCE

Evening Star, Issue 23746, 29 November 1940, Page 8

BULGARIAN INDEPENDENCE

COMPLETE RESPECT BY BRITAIN EFFECTIVE REPLY TO NAZI DISTORTIONS (British Official Wireless.) Press Association— By Telegraph—Copyright RUGBY, November 27. The cordial assurance given by Mr R. A. Butler, Foreign Under-secretary, in the House of Commons, with regard to respect for Bulgaria’s integrity and independence is seen in London as an effective reply to recent German propaganda there.i “ It has been suggested,” states ‘ The Times ’ in a leader, “ that if the Bulgarians arc so foolish as to refuse to give active support to the Axis, they cannot expect Germany and Italy to prevent the Turks from sidling into Bulgarian territory. It is an old game. The Turks have no desire to quarrel with Bulgaria while Bulgaria does not attack Greece, but that docs not matter to the propagandists, who probably reckon on the memory of former TurkoBulgarian hostilities and the presence of an important Turkish minority in Bulgaria as factors in their propaganda. The British statement should silence propaganda of this sort. Meanwhile, King Boris and his advisers have shown no enthusiasm at the prospect of making a seventh member of the Axis by joining Hungary, Rumania, and Slovakia in the servants’ hall. It is not an inviting offer, and acceptance would not for a moment guarantee Bulgaria against having to surrender her regained Dobrnjan territory to Rumania whenever the Fuhrer thinks General Aritonescu desires a little encouragement.” TRADE NEGOTIATIONS JAPAN AND INDO-GHIHA TOKIO, November 28. (Received November 29, at 9.15 a.m.) The Foreign Office announced ' the transfer of the Indo-Cluna trade negotiations from Hanoi to Tokio at the request of the French authorities. The Tokio negotiations are opening late in December. The French are sending over 20 delegates from France, in addition to Indo-China representatives, headed by M. Charles Aresen Henry.

FREE FRENCH FORCES GENERAL CATROBX'S NEW APPOINTMENT CAIRO, November 28. (Received November 29, at 8 a.m.) General Catroux, former Governor of Indo-China, announced that General de Gaulle had appointed him head of the Free French movement in the Red Sea, the Middle Fast, and the (Balkans, coordinating the actions of all Free French committees in these areas. General Catroux, who was one of the leading generals in the French Army and who rendered conspicuous services, especially in Syria and North Africa, was lately Governor-General of Indo-China. In this capacity General Catroux refused to enforce the armistice in Indo-China. He could not admit that the capitulation could be extended to an empire which was left intact, and he had foreseen the serious danger which threatened French IndoChina from Japan and Thailand, and by a policy of subservience to the enemy. General Catroux chose to relinquish the post rather than lend his hand to a policy contrary to the interest and honour of Franco. Accordingly, he decided to place his services at the disposal of Free France. a LONG-RANGE GUNS DOVER AGAIN SHELLED LONDON. November 28. (Received November 29, at 10.20 a.m.) German long-range guns shelled Dover for two hours this afternoon. FINLAND'S PRESIDENT RESIGNATION OWING TO ILL-HEALTH HELSINKI. November 28. (Received November 29. at 10.20 a.m.) M. Kallio has resigned the Presidency owing to ill-health. I