DEVELOPMENTS IN BALKANS

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21365, 8 March 1941, Page 9

DEVELOPMENTS IN BALKANS

GERMANY’S WAR OF NERVES HITLER RECEIVES REGENT OF YUGOSLAVIA NO SURPRISE IN BRITAIN MOVES ANTICIPATE (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received March 8, 11 a.m.) LONDON, March 7 The authorities in London are watching with the closest attention the developments in the Balkans, where the German war of nerves is being even more diligently exploited since the arrival in Bulgaria of some 150,000 fully-equipped German troops, the advance guard of which is now reported to he on the Turkish and Greek frontiers. Behind them lies a vast reservoir of reserves in Rumania. There is no inclination here to minimise the gravity of the menace, even having regard to the difficulties of the enemies’ communications, but there is no element of surprise in the developments of the past few days, for they had been fully anticipated. A Belgrade correspondent of the American Press says it is learned that Hitler received Prince Paul, Regent of Yugoslavia, at Berchtesgaden on March 3. A Government statement regarding neutrality is being issued tomorrow, together with a statement explaining Prince Paul's visit to the Fuehrer.

FOR OR AGAINST? ATTITUDE OF YUGOSLAVIA BRITAIN WANTS TO KNOW (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LOIN DON, March 7 The Daily Express says the Government, through the British Minister at Belgrade, Mr Ronald Campbell, has asked the Yugoslav Government for a statement of its intentions, namely, “Are you for us or against us?” making it clear that Yugoslavia cannot be on both sides, and that aid for Germany will mean a break with Britain. A message from Belgrade says the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Yugoslavia have issued the following communique:— “Present developments are being closely followed. Yugoslavia’s independence and integrity are ever before us.” NEW ORDER IN EUROPE THREAT TO BRITISH TRADE AIMS OF GERMANY POLICY OF PENETRATION tUoltea Press Ass,.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, March 6 In its monthly trade review, the Times warns against the general attitude of under-estimating the new order in Europe. Its aim is to increase the German war and economic potention and effect the lasting exclusion of British and American business from tbe Continent, the paper says. Intra-continental transactions from Norway to Yugoslavia must be effected through Berlin, giving Germany a working knowledge of the entire structure of European finance, business and foreign trade, thus establishing an all-European economic Gestapo. Whereas the close collaboration of western iron industries is mainly intended to increase Hitler’s war and economic potential, the building of enormous power stations in Scandinavia and the adaptation of the western textile industry to German fibres is clearly aimed at main groups of British exports to Europe, such as coal, textiles and machinery. In iron manufacture Belgian, German and Lorraine works are closely connected. The Western European economy is unlikely for some time to resist this development. On the contrary, evidence points to the increased probl abiiity that the policy of penetration will be extended sytematically in Western Europe in an attempt to change the intrinsic structure of coordination. The changed European economy with re-established world trade and division of labour presents one of the crucial p/jblems of post-war construction. NAZIS IN MOROCCO CONTROL OF TANGIER (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) NEW YORK, March 6 The Washington correspondent of the New York Times says Germans have taken over the duties of the Italian armistice commissioners in French Morocco, but official reports do not support rumours that large German forces are in the territory. Official sources, however, state that Germany, by the use of technicians, has virtually assumed control of Tangier, which is regarded as a most important point for the control of shipping. ILLEGAL DRILLING BELFAST YOUTHS ARRESTED fc < United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) BELFAST, March 6 ** The Belfast police raided a recreation hall last night and arrested 30 youths for illegal drilling.

! THE TURNING POINT I I; I ANGLO-GREEK RELATIONS MR EDEN IN CAIRO CONFERENCE WITH LEADERS 1 . (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) 1 LONDON, March 7 The Times correspondent at ■ Athens says it is believed that the visit of Mr Anthony Eden and Sir ; John Dill may be the turning point . in the Greek war and in Angloi Greek relations. { In Cairo, Mr Eden and Sir John ■ : Dill have held a conference with ■ General Sir Archibald Wavell, Ad- ; ■ miral Sir Andrew Cunningham and ' Air-Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Long- J ; more, heads of the three fighting ser- . vices in the Middle East. A message from Budapest says it i is reported from Athens that the ; Prime Minister of Greece, M. Korizis, I had a lengthy conference with the j German Minister in Athens. Envoy From Irak J Reporting the arrival of Mr Eden in Cairo, says the British official wireless, press messages state also that the Foreign Minister of Irak, General Nuri es-Said, has arrived , there. He made the journey by air. GENERAL SMUTS ARRIVAL IN CAIRO 1 DISCUSSION WITH MR EDEN . (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) ; (Received March 8, 11.45 a.m.) 1 CAIRO, March 7 J General Smuts, accompanied by Major-General Sir J. Van Ryneveld, 1 Chief of the General Staff, has ar- ? ! rived to confer with Mr Anthony ■ 1 Eden and Sir John Dill. : .l GREEK INITIATIVE £ ; ~ jf READY TO FACE ANYTHING E( ! DRIVING ENEMY BACK 5 f ; 5 (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) 1 LONDON, March 7 The Athens radio says: “The initiative on all fronts exclusively belongs 3 to the Greeks. The morale of the 3 troops is excellent and they are . ready to face any developments with- _ out flinching. , “Italian and German air squad- , rons are no longer facing lone , fighters, and our bombers are now . escorted by fighters. The Italians lost 53 aeroplanes in five days, 7 against the loss of three British, j “Many of the Italian losses ins eluded the latest bombers with a I j speed of 300 miles an hour, which I are frontline machines that Italy can | ill afford to lose. “The building-up of the Royal Air Force in Greece means that it, today, guards the skies, while the Greek * artillery silences the enemy guns and is driving the enemy back.” TRADE AGREEMENT / f GERMANY AND FINLAND s E j l SUPPLIES OF TIMBER s 1 5 I (United Assn -Kipp. Tel. Copyright) ! ! (Received March 8, Noon) j HELSINKI. March 7 Germany and Finland have signed L a trade agreement, t . Each country’s annual purchases f j will total 3,700,000,000 Finnish I marks. ! Finland will supply timber and j timber products, receiving extra i coke, fertilisers and metal goods. !