German Planes Daily Flying Over Greece

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 44, 20 February 1941, Page 7

German Planes Daily Flying Over Greece

Way lo Salonika Now Assumed Open Big Turkish Force Under Arms United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Wednesday, 7.15 p.m. LONDON, February 18. German reconnaissance and photographic planes are flying, daily over Greek Macedonia. The German Minister at Athens is reported to have told the Greeks that Germany is keen for a settlement of the ItalianGreek war. ' The Germans have also spread reports that the Turkish-Bulgarian declaration has ruled out Turkish aid to Greece. The Times says Germany assumes that the way to Salonika is now open, but this disregards many saving clauses which the Turks put into the agreement, and the British are more than ever determined to help the Greeks. Turkey knows what a German threat fo the Aegean would mean; the Straits would he threatened from the west, as they are already from the north. Turkey knows how British strength in the Mediterranean has grown and the British-Turkish staff talks have contained a promise of effective collaboration, hut the Turks will not embark on the impossible. The Turks have never promised to go to Bulgaria’s aid. They decided some time ago not to risk wasting their strength entering the Bulgarian uplands. The Thracian defences are strong and the Turks can build up more strength behind them. Turkey has new over 300,000 troops in European Turkey.

The Turkish press welcomes the Turkish-Bulgarian declaration. The Ycnisabah says: “The heroism of our Greek allies will prove sufficient to dislodge the Italians from the Balkans in a very short time, because the way across Bulgaria is now closed to reinforcements to the aggressor. Bulgaria has barred the way, and her policy may serve as an example to Yugoslavia.” The Ikdam says: “Peace in the Balkans can now be disturbed only by the GermanvS. We hope for the Balkans’ sake, also for the Germans’ sake, that German troops in Rumania will not move further.” The Yugoslav newspaper Vrene reported from Bucharest that King Boris of Bulgaria has gone to Germany. A Belgrade message says that Ziga Sol, a member of the Croat Peasant Party, in a speech to his constituents, said the German terms to Yugoslavia include the passage of war materials, a large share of Yugoslavia’s agricultural production, and the strictest neutrality. The Bulgarians’ neutral position con-

> tinues to be threatened by the presence ) of German “technicians” and others, : and there are ominous reports of the - j massing of German forces on the north i side of the Danube in preparation for • crossing the frontier (says a British - Official Wireless message). British i policy towards Bulgaria was outlined in r a statement last night by the British Minister to Sofia, Mr. Dendel, who said: - ■ “British policy is aimed at maintenance ; of the neutrality and independence of ’ Bulgaria and at preventing the war t from spreading to Bulgarian soil. The : British Government would welcome the development of close, friendly relations - between Bulgaria and her neighbours. i We have no intention whatever of taking any initiative towards violation i of Bulgaria’s neutrality or involving t' Bulgaria in war. If Bulgaria loses her , j neutrality and war is brought to Buli ' garia, it will be solely and directly on l J the initiative of Germany. The quesl j tion whether the Legation remains or . not depends solely on the movement of - the Germans. ’ ’