HALF OF YUGOSLAVIA LIBERATED

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 196, 17 May 1944, Page 7

HALF OF YUGOSLAVIA LIBERATED

Marshal Tito Discusses Future Outlook POST-WAR BALKAN AMITY (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, May 15. “If one put together the various parts of the territory, one-half of Yugoslavia has been liberated.” Marshal Tito told correspondents who recently visited him in his headquarters "lair.” “The enemy began his offensive toward the end of April in eastern Bodhia, Montenegro. and the Sanjak. Early in May he also attacked Macedonia and on the Topliea sector in Serbia. In Montenegroand the Sanjak the offensive was completely routed, and in eastern Bosnia the Yugoslavs went over to a counter-offen-sive. The enemy is also attacking in Lika, Slavonika and other provinces. On other sectors the fight still goes ou. “The Germans are still able to conduct offensives on separate sectors, but not in the country as a whole. They no longer command sufficient forces, nor is their morale as high as it was a year ago. “ft is my conviction.” he said, “that, with the early opening of the second front, we shall be able to go over to the counter-offensive ou all sectors.” Possible Army Increase. Marshal Tito added that there was no sign of German withdrawal. On the contrary. the enemy was bringing up reinforcements. The Yugoslav supreme staff was in conference ou all points of common operations with the Allies. Though the Allies had recently increased their military supplies, there was urgent need for even more assistance. He hoped that the future leud-lease would supply.not only immediate needs but also build up reserves for a potential army of 600.000. Answering questions regarding post-war plans, Marshal Tito said that what was wanted was, first, the creation of a nationally equal Federal Yugoslavia, and secondly, the creation of a truly democratic Yugoslavia. This was already in the 'making, He expressed the opinion that future wars involving the Balkans could only be guarded against by the establishment of the closest relations and friendship among the Balkan countries, and the only way to achieve that was for all the Balkan peoples to let democracy aud liberty rule their countries As far as-the Yugoslavs were concerned, it was their wish that they should continue in the closest friendship and collaboration with the Allies after the war, specially with Britain, the United States and the Soviet Union.