SOUTH-EAST EUROPE

Grey River Argus, 22 June 1943, Page 5

SOUTH-EAST EUROPE

Axis Defence Plans LONDON PRESS COMMENT. LONDON, June 20. The “Observer” has an article on the Balkans, in which it quotes the Berlin “Borsen Zeitung” that the defence of South-eastern Europe would be a task of South-east European States themselves. . ' The “Observer” points out that there is hardly more than ten German divisions in the Balkans. They are stationed in Crete, Salonika, Athens, Crotia and Serbia. The bulk of the occupation armies in Jugoslavia. Greece and Albania still consist of Italians. The main defence of South-eastern Europe lies in Italian, Hungarian and Bulgarian hands, which are independent forces with separate commands, national loyalties and local responsibilities. The first condition of an attack in Southeastern Europe from west to east, would be the possession of strategic bases. Its further progress would depend on the attitude of the Italian, Hungarian and Bulgarian armies in the Balkans, none of which is a fixed unalterable factor. Skilful, purposeful and political handling of relations in these States might give the Allies the whole of South-east-ern Europe as a base in a matter of weeks, but less skilful might involve them in gratuitous, prolonged fighting. The “Observer” continues: Obviously the German, High Command reckons the Allies will give Hungary and Bulgaria no chance of escape from Germany, with their national existence unimpaired. British policy backed by public opinion insists on keeping these countries, like Italy, in a state of desperate hostility, thus saving the Germans some 40 divisions. Germany hopes to win the decisive ba*ttle of the Balkans in London, Despite the recent experience with Italy, we hope this calculation will fail.” The Berlin correspondent of the Stockholm newspaper “Tidningen” says: Leading Berlin circles fear certain "imponderable” factors may cause Turkey to abandon neutrality. The German Press is alternatively warning -Turkey and giving assurances of friendship. Whether® the Germans have any direct reasons for these warnings must remain unsaid. TURCO-BRITISH ALLIANCE. (Rec. 7.10) LONDON, June 20. The Turkish Premier, M. Sarajoglu in a speech at Ankara, said: “The alliance linking Turkey and Britain is not for a brief period, or for special purposes. It is becoming clearer, a? time goes on, that the common interests of the two countries are permanent and stretch over a vast’ range of issues.”