JUGOSLAVS READY

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 March 1941, Page 7

JUGOSLAVS READY

TO FIGHT ANY INVADER

NEW MINISTRY SUPPORTED

GERMAN ULTIMATUM REPORTED

[by cable— press assn.—copyright.]

LONDON, March 28. Germany is reported to have sent a Note to the Jugoslav Government demanding an explanation of the speeding up of Jugoslavia’s mobilisation. Germany has urgently requested the new Government to indicate whether its foreign policy endorsed the Axis Pact. The Sofia correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says that German occupation forces in Bulgaria have started moving to-, ward the Jugoslav frontier. Jugoslav troops, says another report, are also moving to the frontiers. This movement began shortly after the new Ministers had seen King Peter. Berlin officials declared: “Jugoslavia must know that renunciation of the Tripartite Pact would be tantamount to giving Germany a signal to march into Jugoslavia.” After its first meeting the new Jugoslav Cabinet issued a communique emphasising that Jugoslavia’s independence, territorial integrity, and liberty had been maintained and expressing hope for peace with all her neighbours. | The German Legation has warned' all Germans to evacuate as soon as s possible, says the Belgrade correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain. Some Jugoslav leaders, the correspondent says, told the correspondent that foreign policy would conform to the Axis Pact, but would not yield another inch. The army in the meantime is maintaining full war strength in case of an emergency. NEW PREMIER’S APPEAL

LONDON, March 28. The new Prime Minister (General Simovitch), in a communique, appealed to citizens to help the Government in the fulfilment of its task and refrain from further demonstrations or any unconsidered acts which might imperil the national cause. “We remain on guard and shall endeavour to fulfil all the obligations and tasks before us,” he said. General Simovitch was born in 1882. and is a professional soldier. He saw service throughout the Great War and in 1928 became Chief of the Air Force Staff. In 1938 he was promoted Chief of the General Stall’, later resigning the position because of a disagreement with General Nedic, then Minister for War. He was reappointed to the post last year. General Simovitch is the author of several works on tactics.

RUGBY, March 28.

At the close of the Jugoslav Cabinet meeting last night, General Simovitch issued a communique in which he emphasised: “.The pressure of public opinion brought about the, changes. There was no more reason | for anxiety from the moment King I Peter took power in his hands and formed a Government of national unity of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. In the name of the Government I appeal to the citizens as well as the authorities to assist the Royal Government, fulfilling its duties, to maintain order in the country and peace on frontiers. I appeal to all patriotic citizens in , Jugoslavia to avoid manifestations which would render difficult our relations with neighbouring countries, with which we .desire to live now and in future > in peace and friendship. I appeal to the people not to commit any irresponsible acts, nor be influenced from any part. Let us take care of ourselves, independently and with dignity. Strict order and correct attitude are the first conditions to carry out successfully the tasks fac-l ing us.” PRINCE PAUL’S DEPARTURE LONDON, March 28. Prince Paul, the former senior Regent, left Belgrade last night for Athens at his own request. M. Tsvetkovic the former Prime Minister, and M. Cincar-Markovitch, the former Foreign Minister, have been released from arrest and allowed to go to their homes. . Queen Maria, mother of King Peter, has been in England since the outbreak of war. She heard of the coup by radio. She has been frequently m touch with Belgrade since the crisis telephoning encouragement to King Peter. NIGHT-TIME ARRESTS (Recd. March 29, 9 a.m.). LONDON, March 28. • When the coup d’etat was carried out, Prince Paul was at Zagreb where he had taken refuge at the residence of the Governor of Croatia. He was told he had been deposed, and was taken back to Belgrade at eight a.m., where, at the headquarters of the General Staff, he was informed by General Budischevitch that he might leave as a private citizen. He elected to go to Greece with his family. Tsvetkoyitch and Cincarmarkovitch, who, meantime, had been arrested at their homes at two a.m., were similarly taken to the headquarters of the General Staff, where they are still detained. (This conflicts with the other source cabled earlier). AU the other Ministers were released. Tsvetkovitch insisted on an interview with General Simovitch, when he demanded, arrogantly, “In whose name have you assumed power? General Simovitch curtly replied: “Ir the name of those whom you nevei represented.” The coup was achieved by the younger officers, mostly members o the Air Force, with only one casualty a gendarme who could not remembei the password, and who was killed. , Train and telephone communications between Bulgaria and Jugoslavia are at present broken off. . BELGRADE DEMONSTRATIONS LONDON, March 28. Excited demonstrators in Belgrade beat up Germans and Italians in th, streets, including the German assist

anti-air attache, who was seriously ; injured, says the Belgrade corres- ; pondent of the Associated Press of ■ Great Britain. The Swedish Minister was dragged from his car and beaten up because, speaking in German, he • was mistaken for a German national, i He is in a serious condition. Several | cars carrying swastikas were overj • turned and wrecked. The German .‘Minister (Herr von Herren) visited ; the Foreign Office and angrily protestied - POLICE PRECAUTIONS LONDON, March 28. This morning saw a fresh crop of the horizontal blue, white and red stripes of the Jugoslav national flag in the shop and house windows of Belgrade. The Belgrade morning papers publish little except reports of Thursday’s political revolution, with articles stressing relief at the change in the country’s leadership, together I with pictures of King Peter. The new Chief of Police has I banned any further demonstrations, iHe has also forbidden the sale of alcoholic drinks temporarily. GERMAN ATTITUDE LONDON, March 28. Germany expects to receive by noon to-day (Friday), from Belgrade a reply to her demand to know whether the Jugoslav Government supports the Axis, Unofficial circles repeat that Germany’s interest in the change of Government in Jugoslavia is limited to this point. They say that if the change of Government represents a change of policy to the Axis, Germany will regard the position most seriously. TURKISH DELIGHT. ANKARA, March 28. Flowers are arriving continually at the Jugoslav Embassy from all classes. A national holiday spirit prevails | throughout Turkey, j LONDON PRESS OPINION. I “MAY PROVE DECISIVE”

LONDON, March 28.

“The whole war situation has momentously changed in our favour, ’ says the “Daily Mail” in a leading article. “The Jugoslav Government is composed largely of men known to be more than passive supporters of the Allied cause. The inclusion of M. Matchek as Vice-Premier indicates that national unity is preserved. General Simovitch is strongly pro-British and a man of action. His appointment shows that the army animates the revolt against the Nazis. Germany’s reaction may be sharp, but whatever plans she has made she will now have to revise them in the knowledge that there is another nation in the Balkans who has refused to take German orders.”

The “Daily Telegraph” in a leading article states: “There has been no single event more significant in its influence on the ultimate issue of the war. It may well prove decisive. The significance of the dramatic change in government in Jugoslavia is justly appreciated in informed quarters in Lond, says a British Official Wireless message. The widespread popular demonstrations made it clear that the Government which on Tuesday signed the document at Vienna pledging Jugoslav adherence to the Tripartite Pact was out of touch with popular sentiment. There has been growing evidence in the last few days that the people would no longer tolerate a Government which did not express their will, and I prepared the way for yesterday’s coup ; d’etat. The bloodless character of this [resounding event and the satisfaction I with which the assumption of power ■by a Government reflecting national aspirations have been received throughout the Serb, Croat, and Slovene State is regarded in London as sufficient indication that the new national Government has the entire approval of the country. To what extent the change will be openly reflected in the foreign policy of Jugoslavia remains to be seen. Primarily, of course, this latest development 's a domestic matter, but it will inevitably be considered abroad against'the background of the most recent events. Jugoslavia’s departure on Tuesday from a policy of strict neutrality, it is observed, stunned the Jugoslav people. For two days their country co-operated with Germany. Yesterday’s events disown that policy. Two courses are now open to Jugoslavia. Time will show whether Germany’s attitude will permit a continuance of the former neutral policy or impel Jugoslavia to co-operate with Britain and her Allies. In view of the note of triumpn with which a German newspaper on Wednesday recorded Jugoslavia’s adhesion to the pact, describing it as a diplomatic Dunkirk for Britain, the reaction to' the latest development in Berlin has been awaited with interest. So far, there appears to be an understandable silence. _ It may be assumed that Berlin’s visitor, the Japanese Foreign Minister (Mr. Matsuoka), who only on ■Wednesday issued a message to the ‘ i German people declaring that the ’ Japanese nation would be with them i, in joy or sorrow, scarcely reckoned ■i on this swift disturbance of Nazi I machinations. t

’[ KING GEORGE’S TELEGRAM. : ■; LONDON, March 28. The King telegraphed congratula- . tions and good wishes to King Peter. NEW ZEALAND JUGOSLAVS. STATEMENT BY CONSUL. AUCKLAND, March 28. J Congratulations on the turn of n events in Jugoslavia were exchanged “ to-day between the Jugoslav Consul

at Auckland (Mr J. M. Totich) and the Minister for Labour (Mr Webb) who entertained Mr Totich at lunch. The Consul informed Mr Webb that after two sad days the Jugoslavs of New Zealand were overjoyed at the stand that the King and people of their homeland had now taken, They appreciated to the full the liberties they enjoyed in this country, and all they could do to assist New Zealand’s war effort would be freely done -without considering any sacrifice involved. Mr Totich said that many Jugoslavs in the Dominion were engaged in fishing and were good seamen. They were prepared to do patrol work or to give any other help that the authorities saw fit to request of them. The Minister assured Mr Totich that he greatly appreciated the devotion of New Zealand Jugoslavs to their adopted country and Great Britain. He hoped both peoples together would march on to victory and help to establish a form of democracy that would provide freedom for all.

MESSAGE TO KING PETER. WELLINGTON, March 28. The following message has been sent by Wellington Jugoslavs to King Peter: “Jugoslavs in Wellington, New Zealand, heartily congratulate you on the steps you have taken, in the wish that the spark of liberty handed down to you will be carried on by you with honour to yourself and to the prestige and liberties of our people.” GREEKS DOWN PLANES. ■ RUGBY, March 28. A Greek communique states: Activity was restricted to patrols and exchange of artillery fire of varying intensity. Our anti-aircraft guns brought down two enemy planes. ITALIAN HEAVY LOSSES LONDON, March 28. It is revealed in London that on Sunday the Italians asked the Greeks for an armistice to enable them to bury their dead. This is proof of the enormous casualties suffered by the Italians in the failure of their recent offensive.