YUGOSLAVS CAPITULATE AT VIENNA

Northern Advocate, 26 March 1941, Page 5

YUGOSLAVS CAPITULATE AT VIENNA

Modified Pact Bars Entry Of German Armed Soldiers

Permits Transport Of Supplies, Wounded

[British Official Wireless! (Received 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, March 25. ALTHOUGH THE ADHERENCE BY YUGOSLAVIA TO THE TRIPARTITE PACT HAS LOST SOME OF ITS SIGNIFICANCE OWING TO THE MODIFIED FORM OF THE AGREEMENT EXCLUDING ALL MILITARY CONCESSIONS, AND TO THE FACT THAT EVEN IN THIS FORM THE GREATEST RELUCTANCE IS DISPLAYED BY YUGOSLAVIA IN ACCEPTING IT IN THE FACE OF HOSTILE PEOPLE, THE SIGNATURE OF THE PACT AT NOON TODAY IN VIENNA WAS STAGED WITH ALL THE CUSTOMARY CEREMONY.

After the signing M. Tsvetkovitch, Yugoslav Prime Minister, said that the chief and almost only aim, of the foreign policy of Yugoslavia, had been, and remained, the maintenance of peace for her people and the safeguarding of their security.

Yugoslavia’s interests and development demanded that south-east Europe be preserved from the extension of the war and that her economic position, which was injured by the present situation, should be strengthened by economic co-operation throughout the Continent of Europe.

Soviet ©lves Assaiifaisse

There were familiar scenes in Vienna when Hitler, accompanied bv the Berman Foreign Minister (Ribhentrop), and then the Italian Foreign Minister (Piano), arrived to meet the Yugoslav Ministers. Ribhentrop later welcomed the Yugoslav Ministers on their arrival. Prior to today’s announcement in Vienna of the adherence of Yugoslavia to the Three Power Pact, it was made known in Ankara and Moscow that in the exchange of views between Turkey and the Soviet, the former had been assured that “in ease Turkey should resist aggression and should find herself forced into war for the defence of her territory, Turkey could then, in accordance with the non-aggression pact existing between her and the Soviet, count on the complete understanding and neutrality of the Soviet.”

Empty Nazi Promises

The German Foreign Minister (Ribbentrop), in a note to the Yugoslav Prime Minister, confirmed the agreement between the Axis Powers and Yugoslavia, that during the war no demand would be made for the passage of troops through Yugoslav territory and that the German Government reaffirmed is determination to respect at all times the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Yugoslavia. Under the terms of the protocol isgned by M. Tsvekovitch and M. Cincar Markovitch. Yugoslav Foreign Minister. Yugoslavia , adheres to the terms of the Tripartite Pact between Germany. Italy and Japan signed inBerlin on September 27, 1940. The protocal is worded similarly to those signed by Hungary.) Rumania, Bulgaria and Slovakia. Only German Pressure Allowed.

Ribbentrop, in a speech after the signing of the pact, said: “With iron legality in the middle of war the new order in Europe and Asi,a is being caried out.

“Yugoslavia’s adherence is particularly important to us because, firstly, practically the whole of the formerly neutr.al Balkans is now in the camp of the new crder, and, secondly, Yugoslavia is now associated with us, although Britain has always thought she could mobilise her against the new order by interfering in Yugoslavia’s inner policy. “Even in the last few days, so I am told, Britain attempted to interfere in Yugoslavian politics. These attempts c.an only be described as unheard of and in no way reconcilable with the respect due to the sovereignty of a free European state. “I solemnly declare that Germany has no territorial or political Interests in the Balkans. Her immediate aim is only to prevent any foreign power taking advantage of these countries for the extension of the war. “Her final aim is the introduction of a peaceful, just and reasonable order in this important corner of Europe.” Hitler Reception.

Hitler later held a reception at Belvedeare Palace and heartily greeted M. Tsvetkovitch and M. Cincar Markovitch. He talked with them for some time.

A Belgrade message states that a few minutes after Yugoslavia signed the pact a strict telephone censorship was instituted all over the country for the first time in history. The Yugoslav public was told today, for the first time, of the country’s adherence to the Pact in special editions of newspapers sold in the streets after noon. In Moscow today the Yugoslav Minister (M. Gabrilovitch) announced his resignation, which was telegraphed to i Belgrade, yesterday. Death Rather Than Serfdom, A message from Belgrade says that secret societies which resisted Turkish domination for centuries are being revived throughout .Serbia. One of them has 38,000 members, who have, sworn to die rather than accept serfdom under Germany. The Patriarch Gavrilo has summoned by telegram to an extraordinary session in Belgrade on March" 27 all Orthodox bishops, totalling 20. This session is summoned only in national crises. Difficulty was experienced in obtaining a driver for the train to take the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister to Vienna. A number of railwaymen refused,. including one driver who holds Yugoslavia’s highest order for valour. Cup of Bitterness Full “Our cup of bitterness is full,” says a pamphlet, widely circulated in Belgrade. Patriots in all parts of the country heard of the signature of the Axis pact with anger, and even tears. Bloody demonstrations occurred in Montenegro. A Washington message says that President Roosevelt signed an order freezing approximately 1,000,000 dollars of Yugoslav credits. . l