WAR CRIMES IN JUGOSLAVIA

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24902, 15 June 1946, Page 7

WAR CRIMES IN JUGOSLAVIA

Protest By British Government ALLEGATIONS AT TRIAL (N.Z- Preus Association— Copyright) (Bee 9 p m.) LONDON, June 13. “According to press reports the trial of General Mikhailovic opened with allegations against Colonels Bauey» Hudson, and Masterman, which cate His Majesty’s Government, says a statement issued Foreign Office news department His Majesty’s Charge d’Affaires in Belgrade has sent a Note to the Jugoslav Assistant Minister oi Foreign Affairs stating that it would have been the customary Srocedure to invite comments belore le allegations were made. A thorough search of British records is being made but oh the information avaiiabla the allegations appear to have no found!The Note requests that documentary evidence should be provided. The Foreign Office yesterday <»tegorically denied a report that British officers parachuted into Jugoslavia to contact the resistance forces were instructed to ask for anti-Commumst action as a condition of British aid m liberating the country. “Colonels Bailey and Hudson firmly denied the accusations made against them." says the Press Association s diplomatic correspondent. “Colonel Bailey, who at present is in Ankara, sent a message to official circles saying that never at any time bad he mentioned to General Mikhallovic or to his staff the possibility of an Allied, landing on the Adriatic coast or urged the consequent necessity of liquidating the Communists. He at all tunes had opposed General Mikhailovic’s antlPartisan activities. This policy lea to a break with General Mikhallovic m the middle of March, 1943. “Colonel Hudson personally informed the Foreign Office that an important emission had been made from bia message to the Chetniks and the Partisans quoted at General Mikhallovic s trial in which he told them the fight in Jugoslavia was one for the Jugoslavs themselves and urged it should not be carried on on behalf of any other Power, either Russia or Great Britain. The words ’or Great Britain were omitted from the statement made at the trial.” . , . . General Mikhallovic admitted at his trial in Belgrade to-day, that the Chetniks fought alongside the Germans, White Russians, Bulgarians, and quisling forces against the Partisans in Serbia in 1944. He described the action as haphazard. . . . After first denying that he had received material aid from the Serbian Quisling Prime Minister, General Nedlc. General Mikhallovic agreed that it was possible that his units bad received material in trucks, also 30 railway waggon loads- of wheat for the people. “I was a great enemy of Nedic. He gave me 30 days in gaol when I was a colonel,” said General Mikhallovic. General Mikhallovic Insisted that when the Partisans did not attack him he fought against the occupying forces HU said that the Germans, in September, 1944, asked him to arrange a meeting with the United States officer named McDowell, to mediate for a German surrender. The German representative. Sterker. said he wanted discussions with the Western Allies. The Germans would capitulate before all the Allies. The danger of Communism still existed, and the Germans and the Allies should unite. McDowell replied: “Do not worry about that. You will have to capitulate to the Allies.” General Mikhallovic said he told Sterker that German intrigues between the Soviet and the Allies would mot succeed. The interview between McDowell and Sterker occurred In his gresence. He would not have received terker if McDowell had not been with him. Then pointing to the indictment, he said: "Someone is trying to give a wrong impression.”