GERMANS HATED IN EUROPE

Southland Times, Issue 24524, 27 August 1941, Page 5

GERMANS HATED IN EUROPE

SERBIAN IRREGULARS IN ACTION LONDON, August 25. The defiance of the Serbian mountain irregulars who are reported to hold the larger part of the wild, rocky fortresses of Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina constitutes a potential danger for the Axis Powers, whose hands are full with Russia, says The Times correspondent on the German frontier. Incessant attacks against German and Italian troops are reported. Croat attempts to restore order have so far been quite ineffectual. For this reason the Italian authorities, fearing the destruction of the railways, have been obliged to occupy the whole of the Dalmatian coast from Fiume to Dubrovnik and to extend their occupation a considerable distance inland. Their first consideration is the safety lof the extremely important FiumeSplit railway. The Serbian rebels have already approached within 20 miles of this line.

The upheaval directly affects the position on the Eastern Front because the Germans, besides depending on Balkan food supplies, are at present hurriedly mobilizing and sending to Russia all available munitions and rol-ling-stock. Therefore it is of the utmost importance to the Germans to have no interruptions in railway transport throughout the Balkans. In addition, the general discontent prevalent since the Balkans were forced to participate in the campaign against Russia has aroused all the agelong Balkan animosities, notably between Hungary and Rumania. The danger inherent in the Croatian upheaval is that it may start a new conflagration in the Balkans.

OFFICERS CARRY REVOLVERS All German officers in Paris have been ordered to carry revolvers outside their uniforms. Similarly, soldiers have been directed to carry bayonets. This order has been given by the German commander, General von Schaumburg, who has threatened that more criminal acts will be followed by the shooting of hostages in proportion to the gravity of the crimes. Ten thousand persons were arrested last week m Paris working-class districts. Sabotage is growing in Holland, where anti-Nazis at night dynamite the canal bridges. It is generally expected that the unrest will increase during the winter following food and fuel shortages and intolerable forced labour.

Commentators say that Europe is a cauldron of hatred against the Germans. It continues to simmer, but it would be unwise to expect it to boil over at any early date. The instances quoted should not lead to the impression that the moment for revolution is at hand. The drawbacks to a spontaneous revolt are lack of leadership and the difficulties of organizing unarmed people under constant enemy surveilance. The anti-German mystery voice continues to interrupt the Berlin radio news bulletins. During one session last night just after the German announcer had said “We have taken appropriate measures to counter these Soviet tricks” the voice said “In the United States the whole of the people stand against Hitler.” Berlin radio tried to drown the voice with brass band music, but whenever the news was given the voice broke in with “That’s all lies!”