BULGARIA NEXT?

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 October 1940, Page 5

BULGARIA NEXT?

INCREASING NAZI PRESSURE Axis Intentions Becoming Clearer GERMAN TROOPS MOVING SOUTH THROUGH ITALY SAID TO BE BOUND FOR LIBYA (By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright.) LONDON, October 17. While Italy is continuing her pressure on Greece, the Germans are doing their utmost to bring Bulgaria under their control, says “The Times’’ correspondent in the Balkans. Hitherto there have been no reports of the actual arrival of German troops in Bulgaria but the country has long been flooded with tourists and the flow is not abating. There are also reports that German submarines have been sent via the Danube to Bulgaria as well as to Rumania. It is even reported that staff talks between Germany and Bulgaria are already occurring. Meanwhile the Axis intentions are becoming clearer. First, the German Press has apparently been ordered to cease referring to the possibilities of Spain entering the war. Secondly, authenticated reports from northern Italy refer to trainloads of German troops entering Italy, and movingsouthward. It is believed that they are bound for Libya. German staff officers are now with Marshal Graziani and German troops in Austria are reported to be training for desert warfare. Thirdly, Berlin is seeking to force Moscow into an open declaration, including recognition of the leading role of the Axis in Europe and the renunciation of any intention to interfere with Axis lebensraum, the implication being that Communism must be confined to the present Russian frontiers. In return Germany might be ready to recognise territorial acquisitions agreeable to Russia in the direction of the Indian Ocean. Diplomatic sources in Moscow state that M. Stalin recognises that the Soviet army is too weak to do anything against Germany at present, though he fully appreciates the German danger. On the other hand, Germany seemingly is bent on obtaining a declaration in her favour in view of the impossibility of launching a campaign against Russia as long as Britain is undefeated in the Mediterranean.