IN THE BALKANS

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 February 1941, Page 7

IN THE BALKANS

BRITAIN WARNS BULGARIA AGAINST YIELDING TO AXIS [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] LONDON, February 16. A warning to Bulgaria against yielding to Axis pressure has been issued by the British Minister in Sofia (Mr G. W. Rendel). He said: It the Germans occupy Bulgaria ana establish a base from which to attack our ally, Greece, we will break oft relations with Bulgaria immediately. We will take whatever measures the situation requires. According to the Lyons radio, the President of the Bulgarian Parliament declared that Bulgaria would remain aloof from the present struggle.. She was resolved to realise her natural aspirations within the framework of the new Europe.

GERMAN PENETRATION. LONDON, February 16. Evidence that Bulgaria is conniving at Germany’s plans for penetration m the Balkans continues to grow. There is no doubt that Germany’s plans for a move are almost complete. Berlin officials state that a meeting between Bulgarian and German statesmen is expected in the near future. - 2 . (i „. The Sofia correspondent ot me Times” says that German technicians have begun work at the Bulgarian Danube port of Russe and at °thei ports on the Bulgarian side ot the river. ' , Many Bulgarian families are leaving Danube ports for the interior. Reliable neutrals estimate that the Germans control 25 of the 40 Bulgarian aerodromes. Large supplies ot machine parts, lubricating oils and aviation spirit have recently arrived.

ANGLO-TURKISH STAFF TALKS.

LONDON, February 16. A final meeting of the Turkish General Staff and the British Military Mission representing the Middle East Command was held at Ankara. Both parties are said to regard the pioceedings as very satisfactory. The Ankara radio warns Herr Hitler not to attempt any Balkan adventure. “The truth is that Germany is not as strong as she is reputed to be,” declared the radio. “She needs the assistance of other countries for her planned Spring campaign The Balkan Peninsula is reputed to bring bad luck to any prospective aggressor.” Turkey has placed the liner Izmir at the disposal of the British Legation in Bucharest as a departure ship. This is interpreted as confirmation that Rumania will sever sea traffic with Turkey. ' A dispatch from Istanbul states that travellers from Rumania report that the roofs of hotels in Constanza are bristling with anti-aircraft guns.

BRITISH LEGATION LEAVES BUCHAREST, February 15. Sir Reginald Hoare and other members of the British Legation staff here, also the Belgian Minister, have left for Constanza. The Rumanian Government was represented at the station, and their departure was marked by an atmosphere of cordiality, in the presence of a large crowd. One hundred British men and women have refused to leave with Sir Reginald Hoare. They will remain under the protection of the United States Legation.

DEMANDS ON JUGOSLAVIA.

“THIN END OF WEDGE.”

(Recd. February 17, 1.35 p.m.) LONDON, February 16. German preparations for an offensive through Bulgaria are apparently almost complete, while reliable sources give reports containing e tails of Germany’s territorial demands on Jugoslavia. She is reported to have been asked to cede three northern districts to Hungary and three others to Bulgaria, which were ceded to Jugoslavia after the last war; also two unspecified regions in Macedonia probably those adjoining Strumnitza in the south-east. Hitler, as a bribe is believed to have offered Jugoslavia the Drim Valley, in Northern Albania, which the Montenegrins nave been wanting for years; an outlet to the Aegean afcSalonika by a 20-miles corridor; also- territory jound Lake Ohridsko, including Koritza and other towns captured by the Gieeks. Jugoslav military and political circles are not expectea to accept these terms, says “The Times s Belgrade correspondent, but they will certainly make economic concessions; for example, the expoit of a greater amount of the cereal surplus to Germany. - The correspondent points out that the territorial demands follow the usual German pattern what does not belong to her,, and e\ en territory not occupied by the Axis. It is the thin edge of the wedge for Jugoslavia who, if she consented, would be immobilised, and would aid the entry of German troops to Bui galia by transmitting munitions and fupplies, and would be entirely at Germany’s mercy. “The Times’s” Ankara correspondent says: German propaganda in Turkey now hints at a likely attack on Greece. Although action against Greece would deeply distress Geimany, she is compelled to do something to end the Greek-Italian war.

RUMANIAN CABINET. LONDON, February 16. The Official German News Agency states that the Rumanian Cabinet met un the presidency of General Well-informed circles state tha; a new political constitution is being worked out and will soon be P The Rumanian Charge d’Affaires in London (M. Florescu) has tendered his resignation to the Rumannian Government. In an interview, he said: ‘I found the attitude of the Antonescu Government unreasonable. Antonescu considers the German Government a friend and ally, but it is his master. I have complete faith in the final success of the ideas for which Britain stands. M. Florescu and M. Mirgu, Counsellor at the Legation, have refused instructions to return to Rumania. Six members of the staff have aheady left London.

SOVIET NAVAL MANOEUVRES. LONDON, February 15. The Swiss radio reported that the Soviet fleet had begun large-scale manoeuvres in the Black Sea. BULGARIAN PRECAUTIONS. SOFIA, February 16. Cabinet has introduced courtsmartial and other military Precautions, usual only in wartime. The Socialist leader, M. Pastuhoff, has telegraphed to M. Filoff, expressing great anxiety at measures seeming to presage the entry of foreign troops.

ABYSSINIAN NEWSPAPER. CAIRO, February, 16. Abyssinian newsboys, armed with spears and rifles, are now distributing free the first national newspaper for five years. It is published in an office in the forests of the Goja Highlands, whither 60 camels carried the printing press, a complete newspaper staff, bundles of newsprint, and boxes of Amharic type.