STATE OF CRISIS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVII, Issue 23110, 26 January 1945, Page 5

STATE OF CRISIS

Yugoslav Affairs King Dismisses Prime Minister By Telegraph—N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright LONDON, January 23. King Peter’s action in dismissing Dr. Ivan Subasic from the Premiership has thrown Yugoslav affairs into a state of crisis which is expected to have rapid developments. It is by no means certain that Dr. Subasic will accept dismissal. If he decides to continue he will undoubtedly have British sympathy and support. On the other hand Marshal BrozTito’s reaction to the crisis is not yet known. It might cause events to take an entirely different course from that toward which they seem to be moving. There is good reason to believe that King Peter’s open defiance of the known wishes of Britain, Russia and America was taken on the bad advice of exiled politicians who are out of touch with realities in Yugoslavia. The developments are being watched in London, and the subject will no doubt find a place on the agenda for the meeting of Mr Churchill and President Roosevelt and M. Stalin. Yugoslav authorities in London have published the full text of the agreement signed in Belgrade in November by Dr. Subasic and Marshal Broz-Tito. This agreement has as its main points democratic government for Yugoslavia and a plebiscite before King Peter is allowed to return to the country, the Royal power to be wielded by a Regency in his absence. A combined statement issued by all Yugoslav associations in London expresses unanimous condemnation of King Peter’s action in dismissing Dr. Subasic and charges him with trying to provoke a crisis in the hope that it will bring about civil war. The associations join in the protests made at public meetings in Yugoslavia. They request that Dr. Subasic’s Government continue with its duties, return to Yugoslavia immediately, and put into effect the Broz-Tlto-Subasic agreement.

The statement challenges King Peter’s right to dismiss the Government, and states, that he has done nothing for the people during the war. Preparing to Return Home The entire Yugoslav Government and Administration in London, numbering 200 to 300 persons, are preparing to sail for home, leaving King Peter behind, stated the foreign editor of the “Daily Express.” Dr. Subasic and his Cabinet, far from accepting dismissal, decided at an emergency meeting that it was their duty' to return to Belgrade to Implement the unity pact with Marshal Broz-Tito. It is understood that the British Government is fully in accord with Dr. Subasic’s determination to carry out the agreement which King Peter refused to sign. Marshal Broz-Tito has no intention of negotiating with any other Cabinet King Peter may attempt to form, and Britain will continue to recognise the present Government. For the rest, King Peter must rely on the counsel of his mother, Queen Mary, sister of ex-Klng Carol, and his mother-in-law, Princess Aspasie, who belongs to the Royal Family. “The Times,” in a leading article, says: “King Peter’s dismissal of Dr. Subasic and his Government is a coup d’etat, the constitutional propriety of which, like that of his declaration of a fortnight ago, would be highly debatable if it were worth debating.” The diplomatic correspondent of “The Times” says King Peter’s defiance of the advice of his own Ministers and Allied statesmen is to be deplored. It may have been conceived as a romantic gesture by the young King upholding the privileges of his line, or it might have been contrived by survivors of the effete regime hoping to snatch back the power that has passed away. The Allies’ attitude is crystal clear. They approved of the TitoSubasic agreement as a basis of settlement and pacification. When Mr Churchill announced that, if necessary, the King’s assent would be presumed to have been given, he expressed also the view of the Kremlin and the White House.

The “Daily Express,” in a leading article, said: “It should be brought home to the young man that the people of Britain are not greatly interested in him, but they are interested in the people of Yugoslavia, whose gallant nght against the German armies of occupation has won them deathless honour. They regard the agreement as offering a practical basis for an interim government of Yugoslavia until a plebicite can be held to decide whether he is to remain King or not Neither British influence nor British arms will be available to achieve modification of the agreement in King Peter’s favour.” 5

Changed His Mind Again King- Peter has again changed his mind, says the foreign editor of the Daily Expr - ” It is announced that he has withdrawn his refusal to sign the Regency agreement between Marshal Broz-Tito and Dr. Subasfc. King Peter is reported to be astonished by the resentment aroused in London and Yugoslavia by his refusal. ~ ' n ?, e diplomatic correspondent of the Dany Telegraph” understands that King Peter proposed that Dr. Subasic, whose resignation he had already requested, should, in fact, resign, after which the King would invite him to form a new Government.