GRIP OF NAZIS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20493, 1 March 1941, Page 9

GRIP OF NAZIS

SOFIA PREPARATIONS CONTROL OF POLICE BRITISH WARNING GIVEN BREAK IN RELATIONS (Elcc. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Feb. 28, 3 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 27. Heavy snow to-day throughout the north of. Bulgaria almost certainly granted Bulgaria a few days of reprieve from German occupation. No German forces crossed the Danube yesterday or to-day, but prepartions in Sofia are steadily going on. The police, for example, are now under the control of six of Herr Himmler’s men. The German Legation in Sofia has circulated the German news agency’s announcement that Germany has no intention of attacking Bulgaria—which the Daily Mail’s Sofia correspondent is clearly aimed at counteracting the public’s rising resentment against Germany apparent throughout the country in the past 43 hours. Anti-British Campaign The German campaign to whip up anti-British feeling continues. The story is circulated that 04 Britons have been arrested for a plot to overthrow the Government. Actually there was no plot, and no arrests have been made. There are only 42 Britons in Bulgaria, 40 of whom are members of the legation staff. The British Minister in Sofia, Mr. G. W. Rendel, addressing . British and American journalists, said: “The time for England to break off relations with Bulgaria is very near.” He said that if relations were broken off, Britain would declare war before committing hostile acts such as bombing communication lines and troop concentrations. The Germans in Bulgaria could no longer be classed as technicians. They were the forerunners of a German occupation. Mysterious Disappearance Mr. Rendel has protested to the Bulgarian Government concerning the mysterious disappearance of Mr. Wodin Grenovitch, a British passport officer. Mr. Rendel told the correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain that Britain is taking s most serious view of the situation and will leave no stone unturned to find him. If the efforts failed Britain would know what to do. Members of-the British Legation believe there is a definite connection with Mr. Grenovitch’s disappearance and a recent looting of the passport office! Mr. Grenovitch was last seen on a train en route to Turkey. He is reported to have left Sofia o'n February 24 with three British Institute teachers and to have been taken off the train by Bulgar police at the behest of the Germans.