TURK PRESS CHALLENGES BULGARIA

Northern Advocate, 13 February 1941, Page 5

TURK PRESS CHALLENGES BULGARIA

Nation Ready For Duty At First Gall From President

Nazis Have 750,000 Men, 1000 Planes?

(Received 11 a.m.)

LONDON, February 12

'PHE ENTIRE TURKISH PRESS THIS MORNING CHALLENGES BULGARIA, INSISTING THAT SHE MUST UNEQUIVOCABLY DEFINE HER POLICY BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE, SAYS A MESSAGE FROM ISTANBUL.

The Turkish press says: “The Bulgarian Government’s acquiescence in the penetration of German troops constitutes an unforgiveable act, not only against the Bulgarian nation, but also against the neighbouring Balkan countries.”

A large number of giant three-engined troop transports yesterday Hew across Hungary lo Rumania and Bulgaria—that is the only new fact of importance that can be established amid the welter ol rumours about the Balkans.

Control Of Aerodromes

The telephones and even the railways to Bulgaria were mosterratic all day. feeding each new rumour, but it is apparent that German barges, tugs and steamers operating on the Danube have already carried out orders to be on the lower Danube by February 15.

Sources in Belgrade which are usually reliable state that over 1000 German planes had landed in Bulgaria up to yesterday.

Most of the Bulgarian aerodi, ground staffs.

imos are now occupied by German

The Free French news agency records an important concentration of mechanised units opposite Vidin. on the Bulgarian bank' of the Danube, near the junction of the Yugoslav. Rumanian and Bulgarian frontiers.

The “Daily Mail” says now 750,000 German troops

it is reported that there are in Rumania.

Bosporus the Goal

The correspondent of the “Daily Express” on the German frontier says spring weather has ousted • winter, and all seems ready for the climax.

The Turkish official newspaper says trainloads of German soldiers wearing civilian overcoats are crossing Bulgaria from the Dobruja and Varna. It adds that German officers declare: “Our goal is the Bosporus and the Mediterranean.”

The Turkish Pess today unitedly announced that Turkey is prepared for anything, and the Ankara radio stated: “Turkey’s army is in Thrace. Should any aggressor choose an unforeseen direction, let him not forget that the Turkish army does not consist merely of one division in Thrace. “The nation is ready for duty at the first signal from President Inomi.”

Urged to Resist

The Turkish Press and radio also assailed Bulgaria’s policy and urged Bulgaria even now to join her Balkan neighbours in resisting Germany. It .was added that if Bulgaria submitted she would deserve enslavement, plus the punishment which would result from an Allied victory.

The Belgrade correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says Britain is believed to be planning counter-moves to check the German drive in the Balkans.

Offer to Yugoslavs

The Yugoslav Ambassador to Turkey returned to Belgrade secretly for a conference with the Regent (Prince Paul), and it is presumed he brought a British offer resulting from the Anglo-Turkish military talks. It is considered extremely likely that the Turks asked Britain to endeavour to broaden the anti-Nazi front in the Balkans before committing themselves to war outside Europe. Yugoslavia’s primary demand for acceptance of the British proposal' would be a definite undertaking of military assistance from Britain. Sofia Denial A Sofia message says the official news agency announced at midnight: “With reference to Mr Churchill’s statements that Germans have entered Bulgaria and occupied aerodromes, we are authorised to declare that these do not correspond with reality.” A Budapest (Hungary) message says CO German troop transport planes flew over Budapest in the direction of Rumania yesterday. Bulgaria Faces Revolt. Too late though it seems, considerable opposition to Germany has arisen in Bulgaria, where the leader of the Parliamentary opposition ,and even some members friendly to Germany told the Prime Minister (Professor Filofl) that Bulgaria will face revolution if she does not resist occupation. •Communists are organising:- antiGerman and anti-war propaganda throughout Bulgaria. Bulgaria is “jittery,*” and the tension has been heightened by the explosion at the railway station at Dragoman of . a train of 42 tank waggons carrying aviation spirt to Germany. The blazing spirit set fire to the station, and the fire, which continued for hours, Was visible from Yugoslavia. Sabotage Suspected. Sabotage is freely mentioned, but there, .is no accurate information as to the cause of the explosion. The Bulgarian police seized the passport of a U.S. diplomatic courier, Mr Raymond Leddy, en route to Istanbul. The American legation made an energetic protest. The Turks allowed Mr Leddy to enter Turkey without a passport. The Greek Government has ordered Greek women and children to return home from Bulgaria.

British Reprisals Feared

Britain’s rupture of diplomatic relations has made a great impresison in Rumanian political circles, who are anxiously asking why Britain wants freedom of action. It is generally believed this presages reprisals, possibly by arms. The staff of the Rumanian legation in London is ready to leave.

Military measures have been speeded up throughout Rumania, including the extension of the blackout in important cities, oil fields and ports. Soviet Enigma.

Russia's attitude remains a complete mystery. The General Secretary of the Soviet Foreign Commissariat (M. Soboloff) is reported to have told King Boris that the Soviet will not consider Bulgaria an independent State if she does not offer resistance to German infiltration.

Rumanian sources have suggested that the Soviet might recognise de facto air and naval bases on the Rumanian and Bulgarian coasts.