Think Germany Will Stake All To Caucasus In Early Thrust

Northern Advocate, 16 September 1941, Page 6

Think Germany Will Stake All To Caucasus In Early Thrust

(Received 2.30 p.m.) LONDON, September lf>. INFORMED TURKISH CIRCLES ARE CONVINCED THAT GERMANY WILL STAKE EVERYTHING IN AN EARLY THRUST AGAINST THE CAUCASUS AND SOUTHERN RUSSIA, SAYS “THE TIMES” ISTANBUL CORRESPONDENT. Russia’s Note to Bulgaria is considered a prelude to the most important development in the Balkans and the Black Rea. The Bulgarians do not believe that Russia will long remain a passive .spectator of the Axis use of Bulgarian territory and ports for attack against Russia.

From Kiev to Black Sea ' In Turkey it is believed that Ger-1 many will soon launch a large-scale offensive along the whole sector from • Kiev to the Black Sea to force the Dnieper, simultaneously attacking the Crimea by land, sea and air, and pushing downwards to reach the Caucasus before winter. A German success in this way would put them in a position to menace Iran, Iraq and the whole of the Middle East, entailing the concentration of large British forces. Such results would certainly be worthy of tremendous risks, which the Germans would take for political motives. Even more compelling- are reports from Hungary and Rumania which show that public feeling is on the verge of panic. People are openly expressing opposition to the war policies. Turks Harden Turkish opinion has also stiffened in view of the Russian resistance. The Turkish Red Crescent (equivalent of the Red Cross) has chartered the freighter Adana to carry 50,000 tons of cargo to Greece for distribution among the distressed population, representing Britain’s first contribution.

The consignment is valued at £1,000,000, which was contributed by the British and the Australian Help Greece Committees. Turkey is still negotiating with Italy and Germany to ensure safe passage in the Aegean Sea for the Turkish Red Crescent, which is also sending quantities of foodstuffs. Bulgar Warships Following a report that Bulgaria intended to buy warships from Italy and sail them through the Dardanelles to Black Sea ports, the newspaper “Ikdam,” declaring that Bulgaria is a belligerent nation on account of the Greek declaration of war against her, says such warships will not be allowed by Turkey to pass the Straits. The Turkish newspaper furthermore suggests that M. Molotoff s note to Bulgaria, detailing breaches of neutrality, was a warning that the Soviet would declare war if Bulgaria sought to aid the Axis by buying warships from Italy. Straits Closed “Therefore, whichever way the problem is viewed, it is impossible for these warships to pass the Straits," the paper adds. The “Volkischer Beobachter,” Nazi organ, yesterday published a front page picture of Grand-Admiral Rafider, “visiting naval bases in the south-east.” He is shown talking to Bulgarian officers. Declaration of War? The belief is held that Russia will soon declare war on Bulgaria, enabling the Soviet to attack Bulgarian Black Sea ports. The object of such attacks would be to disperse Axis naval forces assembling at these ports with the apparent aim of moving against Odessa, the Crimea or the Russian Caucasus. The Bulgarian Cabinet, in addition to calling the 1921 class, is calling up the 1922 and 1923 classes, with the exception of students. The Bulgarian Minister for Justice has issued a decree aiming at the repression of all subversive activity and providing the death penalty for sabotage, espionage and also for serious profiteering offences.