BULGARIA WITHIN

Grey River Argus, 28 April 1943, Page 5

BULGARIA WITHIN

LONDON, April 25 The “Daily Telegraph’s” Istanbul correspondent says: “News from Bulgaria shows that mass arrests and numerous executions have intensified agitation among the people. The Prime Minister (Professor Filov) and his puppet government are most awkwardly placed, because Nazi pressure is being intensified at the same time as the people are; showing, increasing opposition to the Government. Discontent among military leaders is also reported to be growing. Newspapers in Sofia are playing up the arrest of Constantine Spissarevski, a former Bulgarian commercial attache in Alexandria. He told an examining magistrate that he wrote booklets attacking Professor Filov’s pro-Nazi policy. One strong underground organisation in Sofia is displaying uncanny activity on behalf of British and Americans, its victims being German sympathisers, and supporters of the Government’s collaboration policy.”

German Plans FOR NEW OFFENSIVES. WITH THREE MILLION MEN'. LONDON, April 26. The Russians are being warned by Soviet newspapers and radios that the Germans are hurriedly mobilising the remaining reserves, the vassal States being compelled to send to Russia as many as possible. Reports from Stockholm say the Germans are concentrating all available forces along the eastern front. Reliable sources estimate that , they will launch their Summer campaign with 250 divisions (about three million men). Trains loaded with troops and arms are rolling eastward day an in populated areas the Russians are taking precautions against possible gas attacks. Soviet newspapers are giving prominence to the warning of the Allies to the Germans against using gas. The Berlin radio stated the Russians were massing south of Novorossisk for a break-through attempt. The Germans are using the luii to engage guerrillas in different areas. They have sent out heavily armed punitive detachments, particularly in the Kalinin and Smolensk areas. The British United Press Stockholm correspondent says: “The Germans are pushing on hurriedly with a plan for a triple drive to take Leningrad this year, The German aimies which have been encamped south of the city’s boundaries since the Winter of 1941 will, it is believed, make the main thrust. A second thrust will be made by sea, and a third by the Finns, who, so far, have evaded all demands for such an attack.” Berlin radio said that in the Caucasus, the Germans have inflicted heavy casualties, and repulsed the Russians who carried out “preparatory attacks on the Volkhov front.