THROUGH BULGARIA?

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21336, 6 February 1941, Page 7

THROUGH BULGARIA?

EARLY NAZI MOVE EXPECTED POSITION DESPERATE AND TRAGIC GERMANS MASSING TURKISH RESISTANCE LIKELY (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Cop3*right) LONDON, Fob. 5 A German move through Bulgaria may now be considered almost certain, telegraphs the Sofia correspondent of the Times. Bulgaria’s position lias developed gradually from difficult and delicate to desperate and tragic, and she is not expected to be able to retain her independence more than a few weeks. Great diplomatic pressure is being exerted to induce her to sign a three-power pact, the draft of which Colonel Draganoff, Bulgarian Minister in Berlin, has delivered to Sofia. Since a German “proposal” means a demand, it is not likely that Bulgaria will be able to decline or postpone a decision. It is reliably reported from Bucharest, and also from Bulgarian ports on the Danube, that German military preparations have reached the final phase. Hundreds of lorries are massed on the roads leading to Bulgaria, and observers on the Bulgarian side of the southern Danube have seen Germans preparing barges and pontoons. German “technicians” are installed in almost all large Bulgarian towns and also at strategic points in northern Bulgaria. “Tourists,” who are flooding the leading Bulgarian cities, will undoubtedly take over control the moment Germany launches a Balkan “blitz.” The Bulgarian tragedy will begin when Turkey officially declares that the passing of foreign troops across Bulgaria will be dangerous to Turkish interests. The Turkish army may not wait until the Germans reach the TurkishBulgarian frontier, and thus Bulgaria may immediately become the centre of Balkan military operations, which will certainly be ruinous to the country.

Part of German Plan The Bulgarian forces manning the Turkish-Bulgarian frontier may easily be dragged into the operations, and it is unlikely that any Bulgarian commander will agree not to oppose the Turks, even if ordered to do so from Sofia. This seems to be part of the German plan, because after clashes on the TurkishBulgarian frontier Sofia’s pro-Ger-man Government might seek German help against Turkish “aggression.” On the other hand, strong opposition is developing among the Moderates and Communists, both of whom are requesting the Government to sign a Russo-Bulgarian pact of military assistance; but the armv, whose high officers are completely under German influence, would not tolerate this even were the Government willing. M. Bagrianoff, Bulgarian Minister of Agriculture, who is a staunch proGerman. has resigned—it is believed as the result of a quarrel with the Prime Minister. Professor Filoff, over the question of the passage of German troops. This resignation may lead to a serious crisis, since the Ministry of Agriculture, which Professor Filoff has taken over, is second in importance to the Premiership.

BULGARIA’S DESIRE TO MAINTAIN NEUTRALITY | GREAT INTEREST IN LONDON I | WATCHING THE SITUATION ■omclal Wireless) j (Received Feb. 6. 11 a.m.) RUGBY. Feb. 5 Note has been taken in London of the repeated Bulgarian assertions of a desire to maintain her neutrality and independence. The sincerity of this desire is not doubted, and it would obviously be against Bulgaria’s interest to allow herself to become a theatre of war.

In London it is regarded as unthinkable that with the sad example of Rumania before them all patriotic and responsible Bulgarians do not realise the danger and will take steps to meet it.

The development of the whole Balkan situation is being carefully watched in London, where the facts are well known.

BRITISH SHIPPING MERCANTILE MARINE STRENGTH MORE THAN BEFORE WAR ESTIMATE IN AMERICA (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright! WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 A member of the House of Reprewntati'res, Mr Jonkman, referring to the report of the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Harold Stark, said Britain’s merchant marine at the end of December was 17,679.000 tons, which was 261,965 tons greater than before the war. Acquisitions during the war, said Mr Jonkman, amounted to 3,006,000 tons, against losses totalling 2,744,000 tons. The acquisitions included: New building, 11,185,000 tons; captures, 410,000 tons; requisitioned Danish and French ships, 698,000 tons; ships purchased, 543,000 tons. The figures excluded Allied and neutral tonnage under charter, and also excluded tonnage laid up for repairs, estimated at 1,300,000 tons in September. FREE RUMANIA MOVEMENT IN LONDON RESTORING INDEPENDENCE (Lulled Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Feb. 5 In a statement, M. Viorel Virgil Tilea. former Rumanian Ambassador in London, whom the Rumanian Cabinet deprived of nationality, said a Free Rumania movement was being organised in London with the object of freeing Rumania from German domination. “I possess inside knowledge showing that Rumania, as a whole, including political leaders, expects Rumanians living in democratic countries to frame a national policy with Britain and her Allies to restore the country's independence.'* he said. Britain will not officially recognise the London committee.

BOMBER SHOT DOWN DAYLIGHT RAID ON ENGLAND (Ofllclal wireless) (Received Feb. 6, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, Feb. 5 An enemy bomber was shot down by British fighters during a daylight raid this morning A Ministry of Home Security communique states: There has been some enemy activity off the east and southeast coasts today, but very few enemy aircraft have flown inland. Bombs were dropped at a point in , north-east Scotland and a place in Kent, but these did no damage and j there were no casualties.

NAZIS IN NORWAY PLANS FOE LONG STAY HOSTELS FOR SOLDIERS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. LONDON, Feb. 4 A German appeal for funds for building hostels for German soldiers in Norway is remarked upon by all correspondents of neutral newspapers in Berlin. The hostels are being erected from ! the North Cape to Oslo. Hitler has j spent 1,000,000 marks on them and j public societies have subscribed a further 3,000,000 marks. More is to be raised by public collections. The goal aimed at is 12.000,000 marks. 1 In view of Hitler’s twice repeated solemn declaration that the war with ! Britain would be concluded this year, j the erection of hostels on such a | costly scale, and by implication of I such durability, is considered evi- ! dence of Hitler’s intention not to withdraw the soldiers from Norway after the war. Alternatively it may be that the Fuehrer envisages the possibility of i ct postponement of the victory celebrations. I H UXG ARIA X CABINET COUNT CSAKY'S SUCCESSOR i United Pres*. A-ssn.— Ulor. Tel. CopyrigDij | LONDON, Feb. 4 ' Dr. Laszlo de Bardossy, Hungarian Minister to Rumania, will succeed the j late Count Csaky, as Hungarian For- ' r gn Minister, according to the Ber- | lin news agency. He was counsellor at the Embassy in London from 193 U to 1934.