BALKAN DRAMA REACHING CLIMAX

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25625, 28 August 1944, Page 5

BALKAN DRAMA REACHING CLIMAX

BULGARIA’S ACTION

REQUEST FOR ARMISTICE NEUTRAL_ATTITUDE (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Rec. 10.50 p.m.) LONDON, Aug. 27. Bulgaria has asked Britain and America for information regarding the terms under which she can withdraw from the war. The Moscow radio broadcast a Swiss report that the Bulgarian Minister in Switzerland announced that Bulgaria had broken off diplomatic relations with Germany. It is officially announced in Moscow that Bulgaria to-day assured Russia of absolute neutrality, and declared that she would oppose German troops if they retreated to Bulgaria from Rumania. The Bulgarian Foreign Minister, in his. declaration to the Soviet Charge d’Affaires in Sofia, added: “If German troops will not withdraw from Bulgaria as already requested, they will be disarmed and treated according to international law. The same applies to any German troops who may retreat into Bulgaria from Rumania." Bulgaria is not at war with Russia, but from a purely military point of view the Soviet is the Power most nearly concerned with Bulgaria’s position. Some time ago Bulgaria sought the Allies’ terms by sending a special envoy, the former Minister, M. Mushanov, to Ankara to gain touch with the British Ambassador in Turkey, Sir Hugh Knatchbull-Hugessen. By now the terms agreed to by the Allies, in concert with the Russians, may have been communicated to Mi Mushanov. The Hungarian radio described reports alleging a crisis in Hungary as without foundation. Martial law was imposed in Slovakia, says the Slovak home radio, because the enemy dropped parachutists and saboteurs who attacked Slovak troops and police.