GERMANS IN SOFIA

Grey River Argus, 25 February 1941, Page 5

GERMANS IN SOFIA

BEGINNING TO TAKE CHARGE. LONDON, February 23. The Associated Press Sofia correspondent reports that crowds of German students are marching past the hotel where he is staying, singing national songs, and shouting protests against the Germans. German staff officers staying at the hotel, watched from the windows, without comment. Germans in civilian clothes, but identified as members of the General Staff, arrived at the leading hotel in Sofl a yesterday. A Free French agency report states that 300 Germans have arrived in Sofla, and have established themselves in hotels. They are described as carpenters, mechanics, and electricians, and each morning they are collected in cars sent by the German Legation. Road signs in German are beginning to appear on newly-erected posts on the highways, from the Roumanian frontier towards the interior. BULGARIAN CAPITAL A BLACKOUT TO-NIGHT (Received February 24, 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, February 24. The Sofia correspondent, of the British Associated Press states: — Motor traffic in the Sofia district was halted on Sunday afternoon as the result of police orders to tnear the highways. The capital was ordered to be “ready for a blackout at a momenta notice, beginning on Tuesday night. BULGARIAN PRECAUTIONS LONDON, February 23. In an endeavour to prevent Bulgaria being plundered in the way the Nazis plundered France and Roumania, the authorities have introduced a strict rationing system. An unconfirmed report states that Bulgaria has called up an additional 100,000 troops. anti-aircraft guns have been mounted on top of the National Bank, in the centre of the city. newspapers publish a semi-official appeal to the population to be calm. Communists and other anti-Nazi elements, demonstrating in front of

the Broiss Palace, demanding resistance to a German occupation carried the slogan, “Clear out the Nazis! Sign an alliance with Russia.” The police began rounding up 50 Radical and Agrarian leaders, some of whom are anti-German Thirty have already been detained. DIPLOMAT BEATS NAZI BOTTLE-THROWING CONTEST LONDON, February 23. The United States Minister at Sofia (Mr Earle) figured in a scene in a restaurant where the orchestra at his request, began to play “Tipperary.” Germans present cat-called and one, who is reported to be a soldier in civilian clothes, picked up a' bottle and threw it at Mr Earle. The Minister put up his arm, which was bruised. Then, as the German was about to throw another bottle, Mr Earle picked up the nearest missile, and hit him with it. The German received a cut on the head. He was ejected by the waiters. Mr Earle said: He threw a bottle, and I retaliated by injuring his features. The incident is regrettable but I saw no other alternative. Blow at Salonika INDICATED BY GERMAN MOVES (Received February 24, 9.35 p.m.) ANKARA, February 24. German preparations for attacking Greece, through Bulgaria, Ire proceeding speedily. The preparations are such as to suggest that routes of attack will be through the Struma and Mesta River valleyg. Bridges in Western Bulgaria have been strengthened so as to carry twenty tons, thereby permitting the use of fast tanks. German observers, with field telephones-, have been posted on heights in the Pirin and Rila ranges and on other ranges. German Object TO KEEP BRITISH FROM SALONIKA (Received February 25, 9.35 p.m.) LONDON, February 24. A “Times” correspondent on the German frontier says: Military officers in Berlin explain that the German offensive against Britain includes the expulsion of the British from the Continent of Europe, including Greece, because, until the possibility of a British occupation of Salonika has been eliminated, the Rumanian oilfields would nob be safe from R.A.F. attack. The officers said Greece could be induced diplomatically to assent to a separate neace, but if Greece does not consent, she must be overcome by a German march to Salonika.