YUGOSLAVIA’S POSITION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 98, 25 March 1941, Page 4

YUGOSLAVIA’S POSITION.

The Nazis who have not found it easy to convince Yugoslavia that her future security lies within the Axis fold now appear to be winning the day. Hemmed in though she is by Italy and Germany, and the States which have become enmeshed in the Axis toils, most of her people and a section of the Cabinet have been resolved that the Government’s policy of appeasement must be resisted. So hostile has the movement 'grown that prominent members of Cabinet, Senators, and State officials have resigned rather than submit to Hitler. Erom the confusing reports emanating from Belgrade it seems clear that the Government, rather than sign the Axis Pact, decided to accept a modified structure. The difference, it became immedi-ately-clear to many in the nation, was of little consequence, and once having committed herself Yugoslavia had no escape from domination by the Nazis. The Yugoslavians do not forget that in the last war they suffered terribly at the hands of the Germans, Hungarians, and Bulgarians,* and they cannot overlook the fact that neither Hungary nor Bulgaria has renounced the lands lost to Yugoslavia. The army and a large majority of the people therefore regard with deep suspicion and distrust both the Nazis and Italians. It is the Croats who have always been a thorn in the side of the Yugoslavians, and have made government of the State a difficult matter, who are anxious to get their country within the Axis fold and Prince Paul, the Regent, is showing a weakness that is not helping Yugoslavia. Hitler in the meantime is prevented from making his offensive in the Balkans, and if it is possible to stiffen Yugoslavia’s attitude to the extent, of defying him, he will be compelled to declare war against that State, a policy that lie must avoid at all costs and whi ch has so far been successful in Rumania and Bulgaria.