BALKANS TERRIFIED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 12 January 1944, Page 5

BALKANS TERRIFIED

GERMAN REPRISALS FEARED DAY OF RECKONING APPROACHES PANIC IN RUMANIA London, Jan. 10. The Germans’ Balkan satellites, terrified at the prospect of the approaching climax to the Russian advance. do not dare move for fear of German reprisals, says “The Times” Istanbul correspondent. Should the Russian plans succeed the Red Army will be knocking at the northern doorway of the Balkans before next spring. The Hungarians are “staying put.” hoping that comparatively lenient treatment of Jews and the withdrawal of troops from the Russian front might be accounted to their credit on the day of reckoning. RUMANIA DEMORALISED Panic prevails in Rumania, where the Germans have sent reinforcements to stiffen the Rumanian defence and also maintain order. It may be said that Rumania is under full German military control. Public opinion is completely demoralised and in a state of absolute helplessness. This demoralisation seems to spread to the army, several units of which have been disbanded on German demand, based on the ground that it is better to have a small and more reliable army than a larger one on whose loyalty they could not count. Underground organisations are mustering forces for the day when they can strike with better chance of success. Strikes for the settlement of accounts. The Bulgarian army is almost completely mobilised and kept in readiness as a trump card in the hands of the Bulgarian Government when the hour