SLAV SITUATION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 97, 24 March 1941, Page 2

SLAV SITUATION

MINISTERS RESIGN. STAND AGAINST NAZIS. LONDON, March 22. After negotiations lasting all day tho Regent of Yugoslavia, Prince Paul, accepted the resignations of three Cabinet Ministers, MM. Kon6taninovitch and Budieavlyevitch (both Serbs) and Chubriiovitch, who voted against the signing of a pact with Germany. No statement was issued, but the Prime Minister (M. Tsvetkovitch) and the foreign Minister (M. Cincar-Marko-yitch) have postponed their departure for Vienna. .

It is understood in London that Prince Paul is unable to find prominent politicians willing to replace the three Ministers who resigned. The Cabinet split may further delay the signing of a pact with the Axis. There is 6Ull no confirmation in London that Cabinet last night decided what concessions to make to Germany.

M. Protitch, who is a Serb, aiso offered to resign. The ten members of Cabinet who voted for acceptance of the German terms are all- Croats. Five Ministers abstained, namely, MM. Tsvetkovitch, Kulovitch, Krek, Protitch and the Moslem leader Kulenovitch.

M. Tsvetkovitch's absention is believed to be due to the possibility of reconstructing the Cabinet, which would give Prince Paul a choice of parties, of which all except the Croat feasant Party arc neutral or hostile in attitude toward acceptance of the German proposals. Events are likely to move quickly, but Yugoslavia is thus at last temporarily reprieved, despite the German propaganda efforts to convince the world that Yugoslavia is in the Axis bag. It is stated in London that the British Minister in Belgrade has been in contact with Prince Paul during the last few days. Any agreement signed with Germany would undoubtedly prejudice the Yugoslav position and daniiiinish the hopes —hopes which are believed to bo shared by a vast majority of the people and the army of lugoslavia —of maintaining their national independence and sovereignty. GROWING FEELING.

' Revolt against the Government's poiicy ot appeasement to the Axis is growing throughout lugoslavia. The Uabineu crisis continues to delay capitulation to Germany ana in the meantime there are iuuications that itussia, Britain, ureece anu America are taking a hand to stiffen Yugoslavia s ai-uitucle. Koports lrom Ankara and Moscow say that Russia is expected to publish very soon a communique detailing conversations between jyi. Vyshinsky ana the lurkish Ambassador in Moscow, realiirming Kussian - 'lurkisn friendship and emphasisjig the Kus-sian-j.uiKish non-aggression agreement which already exists. Kussia initiated these conversations and the Turks are reported to have already received a written assurance from Moscow that they have nothing to tear from Kussia should they be iorced to light for Turkish independence. Some Turkish sources even, foresee that Russia would then adopt the same attitude to Turkey as to China "with all that implies." Members of the Serbian Peasant Party in Belgrade, whose leader is the Yugoslav Minister to Moscow, sa;d Kussia had indicated that she wouldaccept any Yugoslav initiative toward Russian-Yugoslav co-operation, by which Yugoslavs would obtain a guarantee of security and indepenoonce. The Soviet Minister in Belgrade, who has just returned from Moocow, is reported to have told M. Cincar-Marko-vitch that Yugoslavia should not sign any agreement with Germany involving the entry of troops into Yugoslavia. The Yugoslav Minister conferred with tho Turkish Foreign Minister (M, baracoglu), who also talked with tho British Ambassador (Sir Hughe Knatchbull-Hugesseii). j The Greek Minister in Belgrade in I terviewed M. Cinear-Markovitch. The British Minister (Mr Ronald Camp-! bell) and the American Minister are reported to have seen the Yugoslav leaders. Mr Campbell pointed out thoi nature of the assistance Yugoslavia would receive if she asked for it and the American Minister emphasised I the implications of the lease and lend policv. • SERIES OF RESIGNATIONS.

I Thirteen prominent persons have already resigned as a protest against |appeasement, namely, the three Milllisters, eight Senators, the Governor of the Vardar district, and the ViccI Governor of Croatia. Two Senators of the Independent Democratic Party, which is the fourth largest in the country, have resigned. One even is reported to be going to Cairo to uiganise co-operation with Britain. Three officers have gone to Greece to fight with the Greeks, and four pilots iarc reported to have flown to Greece to place themselves and three planes at the disposal of the Allies. The Yugoslav Minister in Moscow has resigned, but this apparently arises from the Serbian Peasant Party's instructions to its followers to resign from Government positions. Soldiers in troop trains in Serbia sing, "Do not fear the Germans and Italians; do fear your own Ministers," which is fast becoming a popular slogan. M. Smodlaka telegraphed to Prince Paul demanding an immediate convocation of the Senate. Professor Jovanovitch, who is an expert on international law and the greatest moral leader in Serbia, told Prince Paul that acceptance of the German demand would mean the abandonment of neutrality. The. Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church warned Prince Paul of the dangers to Yugoslav independence in acceptance. The Federation of Reserve Officers decided to disband after sending Prince Paul a protest against the plan "to conclude an agreement incompatible with the national honour and independence." Other patriotic bodies are acting similarly. It is officially stated in British circles in Cairo that the former Yugoslav Premier (M. Stoyadinovitch) ha 6 been handed over to the British authorities by the Yugoslav Government for safe custody and will be detained in British territory.