JUGOSLAV DISSENSIONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 May 1944, Page 5

JUGOSLAV DISSENSIONS

MIKHAILOVIC DENOUNCED. NEW YORK, May 16. “Marshal Broz, leader of the Jugoslav Army of Liberation, in a special article for the American magazine ‘Free World.’ describes the 10 days in which the Germans defeated Jugosalvia as the most shameful period in his nation’s history, because of the corruption and treachery of leading officials,” says the United Press of America. “Marsha! Broz attacks 'Genera.'. Mikhailovic as a traitor, emphasising their failure to co-operate after two conferences. At the second conference in 1941 Marshal Broz pro-i posed a 10-point programme, but General Mikhailovic did not accept the most important points, though he speedily agreed to take a share of the arms and ammunition provided by guerrillas who had captured the Uzice arsenal.”

Marshal Broz adds: “The day after the negotiations we immediately handed over to Mikhailovic 500 new rifles and. 25,000 cartridges., Three days later the Chetniks attacked the Partisans with the same rifles and ammunition. As a result of a superhuman struggle, lasting unity, such as did not exist before the war has now been established among the Jugoslav peoples. “The Jugoslav National Liberation Movement; has repudiated all agreements concluded by King Peter’s Government, and is leaving the system of administration to be determined after the war by the free will of the people. “For more than two years the world \as been deceived about t’qe real state of affairs in Jugoslavia. Now the traitor Mikhailovic has been nailed to the pillory of history. We are thankful to the Allies lor realising, although belatediy. who is doing the fighting in Jugoslavia, and to whom aid must be given.”

Marsha! Broz’s latest communique reports a battle with General Mikhailovic’s Chetniks, near Ljuvis, where more than 100 Chetniks were killed and wounded. It adds: “Elsewhere in Western Bosnia Chetniks are concentrating for attacks against Marshal Broz’s units. Mikhailovic is personally conducting these operations. The Chetniks are well supplied with German ammunition, tanks and lorries.” - A