IN THE NEAR EAST

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 June 1940, Page 7

IN THE NEAR EAST

REORGANISATION OF EGYPTIAN ARMY TASK ALMOST COMPLETED. FEELING IN THE BALKANS. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. LONDON, June 11. Cairo reports that no panic followed the Italian declaration of war on the Allies. The Italian Ambassador has daily visited the Premier, but has failed to alter the Egyptian loyalty to the Allies. The guards have been strengthened at the diplomatic and governmental offices and banks and telegraph installations, and day and night guards man strategic points. Barrages of electric plants and waterworks are declared prohibited areas. The reorganisation of the Egyptian Army is almost complete. The training of territorials proceeds apace, and the new Civil Guard is already active. In Malta the news was received calmly. All Italians were rounded up and interned and Italian shipping was seized.

Yugoslavia called up a large number cf specialist troops and ordered the speediest work on the fortification 'of the Italian and German frontiers. Mussolini's assurance that Yugoslavia's neutrality will be respected has caused uneasiness in view of the similar assurances from Hitler to othei- neutrals.

A Sofia message states that official quarters look to Russia to protect Bulgaria. Military precautions are being taken on the Turkish and Greek frontiers.

Athens reports that Greece took naval and military precautions fearing that Italy of the Allies will attempt to establish naval bases in Greek islands. The President of Turkey, General Inonu. returned to Istanbul after ar inspection of the coast defences in Thrace.