LESS TRUCULENT

Evening Star, Issue 24482, 17 April 1943, Page 4

LESS TRUCULENT

GERMANY'S CHANGING TONE HITLER FEARS BALKAN INVASION (N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent.) (Ree. 10 a.m.) LONDON, April 16. The Allies are opposing a different Germany to-day from that even of last year. Germany to-day is encouraging a mind. She speaks with less truculence and with a new show of leniency towards the enslaved peoples, with new' promises and fair treatment for them. At the same time, it is observed that the smaller nations aro changing their- attitude towards her. based on the realisation that Germany cannot win the war. THE ATLANTIC WALL. . The German Press at present is boosting the new coastal fortifications, described as the Atlantic Wall, to reassure the public that adequate measures have been taken against an Allied invasion. German, Italian, and neutral journalists were taken for a tour of this wall, which is stated to he a chain of forts, and is said to command all important approaches to tho north-western coast from the Spanish frontier to the German-Dutch frontier. It was occupied bv thousands of men throughout the autumn and winter. German journalists report that harbours and estuaries are specially well fortified, but the wall, which is 1,687 miles long, is not denselv occupied. Greater importance is being attached to keeping adequate reserves well in the rear, so that they can be rushed quickly to any point. Similar evidence of fortifications comes from Southern Italy, the Balkans, and Norway. NEW FACTORIES IN BALKANS. Recentlv the Germans have been slowing down aeroplane and precision tool plants in France and, increasing the production of newer factories in Slovenia,, Croatia, and Hungary. There are at present signs that Hitler is worried at the possibility of an invasion of the Balkans by Allied forces based on Egypt, Palestine, Syria, and Cyprus. As a result, Bulgaria seems to have become the favoured nation instead of Hungary. Germany sent Bulgaria 10,000'tons of sugar and 40,000 tons of rye, with promises of other goods to follow—and this when Italy and her other allies are going short. Similar bribes are being given Rumania, and both Bulgaria and Rumania have apparently promised to defend the southern Balkans. Various changes are reported to be going on— Bulgaria is sending 50,000 troops to Greece to replace the Italians, who aro concentrating in Dalmatia and Albania. Large-scale Bulgarian anti-in-vasion measures are stated to be starting shortly under German direction. Neutral observers report growing depression of spirits in Germany, following the losses of life in Russia, receding hopes of victory, and the knowledge that the conquered nations are turning against them—and the terrific R.A.F. raids.