BALKAN WAR

Grey River Argus, 6 February 1941, Page 5

BALKAN WAR

NOW (VERY NEAR GERMAN ARMY Ready to Enter Bulgaria TURKEY EXPECTED TO FIGHT. [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Recd. February 5, 10.5 p.m.) LONDON, February 5. “The Times” Sofia correspondent says: A German move through Bulgaria may now be considered almost certain. Bulgaria’s position has developed gradually, from a difficult and a delicate one to a desperate and tragic position. She is not expected to be able to retain her independence for more than a few weeks. “Great diplomatic pressure is being exerted to induce her to sign the Three Power Pact. A draft of the Pact has been delivered in Sofia by Colonel Draganoff, the Bulgarian Minister at Berlin. “Since a German “proposal” means a demand it is unlikely that Bulgaria will be able again to decline or to postpone her decision. “It is reliably reported, in Bucharest, and also in Bulgarian and Danubian ports, that the German military preparations have reached the final phase. Hundreds of lorries are massed on the roads leading to BulgariaObservers on the Bulgarian side of the Southern Danube River have seen the Germans preparing bargeg and pontoons. German “technicians” have been installed in almost all of the large Bulgarian townisj and ralso at the strategic points in Northern Bulgaria. “German “tourists,” who are flooding the leading Bulgarian cities, will undoubtedly take over control the moment that Germany launches her Balkan blitz. “The Bulgarian tragedy will begin when Turkey officially de Clares that the passing of foreign troops across Bulgaria will be dangerous to Turkish interests. The Turkish Army may not wait until the Germans reach the Turkish-Bulgarian frontier. Thus, Bulgaria may immediately become the centre of Balkan military operations, which certainly would be ruinous to the country. “Bulgarian forces are manning 'the Turkish-Bulgarian frontier. They may easily be dragged into operations, and it is unlikely that any Bulgarian commander will agree not to oppose the Turks, even if he should be ordered ito do so from Sofia. “This seems to be part of the German plan, because after clashes on the Turkish-Bulgarian frontier, Bulgaria’s pro-German Government might seek German help against Turkish aggression. On the contrary, strong opposition is developing among moderates and Communists, both of whom are requesting the Bulgarian Government to sign a Russian-Bul-garian pact of military assistance. “The Bulgarian Army, however, whose high officers are completely under German influence, would not tolerate this, even were the Government willing. M. Bagrianoff the Bulgarian Minister of Agriculture, is a staunch pro-Ger-man. He has resigned. This is believed to be the result of a quarrel with M. Filoff, Prime Minister over the question of the passage of German troops. His resignation may lead to a serious crisis. The Ministry of Agriculture which M. Filoff has taken over, is second in importance to the Premiership. (Received February 6, 12.5 a.m.) BERLIN, February 5. The German News Agency says: M. Bardossy succeeds the late Count Csaky as Foreign Minister of Hungary. RUSSIA AND TURKEY MOSCOW, February 4. The Tass Agency denies that Turkey and Russia had secretly signed an agreement for the supply of Russian armaments to Turkey, to counteract German activity in the Balkans. BRITISH CONSULATE OUTRAGE. AT YUGO-SLAV CAPITAL. (Received February 5, 9 p.m.) EELGRADE, February 4. An explosion under the British Consulate-General here, destroyed books and furniture, and injured a woman. Soviet and Hungary DIRECT TRADE PLANNED. (Received February 6, 12.30 a.m.). BUDAPEST. February 5. Russian and Hungarian technical commissions are planning a direct railway connection with the object of furthering Russo-Hungarian trade. FLOODS IN HUNGARY. BUDAPEST, February 4. The Minister for the Interior informed Parliament that 492,000 acres were submerged by floods. The winter wheat crop, mostly for Germany, was virtually destroyed.