PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 22612, 17 May 1945, Page 5

PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL

TITO’S TROOPS' WEST OF ISONZO

TENSION REPORTED HIGH IN TRIESTE NEW ZEALAND TANK CREWS ALERT (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received May 16, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, May 16 Marshal Tito has ordered all his troops west of the Isonzo River to withdraw to the eastern side, reports the British United Tress. It is understood that there is no question of the Allies requesting Marshal Tito to withdraw his forces to the ItalianYugoslav frontier, says the Press Association’s diplomatic correspondent. Marshal Tito, however, has been asked to withdraw his troops to the eastern side of the Istrian Peninsula, leaving Allied troops under Field-Marshal Alexander controlling Italian territory west of a line through Gorizia, Trieste and Pola. Britain and America consider that these towns come under Allied control and that Yugoslav forces must withdraw therefrom or come under Field-Marshal Alexander’s control. A British United Press’ Rome correspondent quotes naval authorities at Allied Headquarters as stating that the Allied naval force operating in Trieste waters is here in the course of normal duties for opening the port, which is heavily mined. The statement is made to counter reports that the force was sent to Trieste to exert pressure on Marshal Tito. Tension is high in Trieste, says a British United Press’ Trieste correspondent. Men and youths from 15 to 50 are being whisked from their homes under a new Yugoslavian conscription order and can be seen training for the Yugoslav army. Yugoslavia has “cocked another snook” at the British by installing its own prefect in Trieste Province and telling the British authorities afterward. The Yugoslavs have also put the Trieste clocks back to Yugoslav time and have renamed one of the main streets Corso Tito. Only part of the Trieste port area is under British control — Marshal Tito gave enough docking room for the Allied armies occupying Austria for the British to keep open the line of communications with the dock area. Otherwise Major-General Dusan Kvadr controls the town.

British cruisers and destroyers are anchored in the harbour. New Zealand tank crews are alert as uniformed Yugoslav soldiers, outwardly calm, stroll through the streets carrying an assortment of weapons, including British arms supplied to them before the occupation of Trieste. Eight British-made light tanks aie seen flying the Yugoslav flag.