AXIS PLANS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 October 1940, Page 5

AXIS PLANS

AGGRESSION IN BALKANS ANOTHER WARNING ISSUED IN TURKEY. ITALIAN THREATS AGAINST GREECE. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, October 18. The Ankara radio last night issued another warning that the Axis aim was the conquest of Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and Greece. Any Power threatening Turkey would find that she resembled neither Belgium, Holland nor France. The Soviet Prime Minister and Foreign Commissar, M. Molotov, is reported to have seen the Turkish Ambassador to Moscow. “The Times” Balkans correspondent says refugees confirm reports of the continued arrival of large reinforcements of Russian troops, including detachments of queer-looking tanks, about which the Soviet troops are boasting that “these will give our German friends something to think about.” The Axis is rapidly extending its grip on Rumanian communications. Germany is reported to have demanded the right to control all roads in Rumania. The Italians are forming a company to provide fresh tonnage to the Danube oil transport. Greece is again being threatened by the Italian Press. Signor Gayda writes of her today as a “nation remaining inside the British framework,” and he says that history . will inevitably call her to a reckoning. Similar threats are made against Turkey. AMBITIOUS AIMS TALKiOF DRIVE TO PERSIAN (GULF. PENETRATION OF BULGARIA. LONDON, October 17. The Balkans correspondent of “The Times” says that according to authoritative sources in Berlin the Germans intend to continue the air attack against Britain and maintain a fair proportion of their armed forces in western Europe in order to (keep Britain in check while the Axis Powers are preparing large-scale operations in the Near East, aiming to break the blockade and implying a drive across the Balkans and Asia Minor to the Persian Gulf. It is now confirmed that the Bulgarian Minister of Agriculture, M. Bagrianoff, when visiting Berlin, was accompanied by Bulgarian staff officers in mufti who met members _ of the German General Staff. It is stated that both Hungary and Bulgaria have agreed in principle to the entry of German troops, and that occupation of Bulgaria would be followed sooner or later by an ultimatum to Turkey to permit the passage of troops to the Near East or face the consequences. Already there is evidence of German penetration in Bulgaria which is being carried out by the usual underhand means. Tourists are arriving who happen to be army officers and officials of the Gestapo. They are described as being “on leave.” The Bucharest correspondent oi tne Associated Press of Great Britain says that German circles stated that 150 bombers and fighters have arrived in Rumania and that a further 150 are expected tomorrow with 800 pilots, mechanics and instructors. Rumanian newspapers have been warned not to speculate _ about the number of German troops in Rumania. An agency estimate is 15,000. The construction of a great new road from Galatz, the Danubian river port in Rumania, to Bucharest, the Rumanian capital, is reported today by the German-controlled radio in Paris. The road will be built by an Italian company and will connect at Bucharest with the existing road, to provide a direct route from the Black Sea to the Adriatic. BLACK SEA BASES. German naval ambitions on the Black Sea were virtually admitted in Bucharest today. German experts are helping Rumania to build submarines quickly at the port of Galatz, and consideration is being given to the construction of a naval base at Constanta. The report of German submarines operating in the Black Sea after beingbrought down the Danube in Pieces was denied in Berlin today. The official spokesman said that the dispatch of submarines to the Black Sea was unlikely, and if they were sent it would only be after discussion with Soviet Russia. The use of Rumanian territory to provide refuge to Germans is the latest example of the German domination affecting every phase of life in Rumania. Another sign is the announcement from the German wireless that all Jews are being turned out oi the oil districts. They are to report to the police, and must leave thenhomes at once. The Berlin correspondent ot „ tne Stockholm newspaper “Tidningen” reports that the evacuation of children from Berlin and Hamburg has now been completed. Some of the children from Berlin and Hamburg and other big cities are to go to a Rumanian province which is on the Yugoslav border, north-east of Belgrade, where preparations are being made to receive 200 000 German officials deny that 200,000 German children are to be settled in Rumania. Whether the report is true or not, the Germans are establishing such a complete hold on Rumania that the use of that territory as a refuge is not to be ruled out. Other signs of the anti-Jewish campaign under German pressure are coming from Hungary and Bulgaria. Hungarian papers carry front-page articles about attacks on Jews, and the Bulgarian Press is similarly attacking Jewish interests. YUGOSLAV MINORITY NAZI DISRUPTION CAMPAIGN. LONDON, October 17. Germany is showing an interest in the Vlach minority in Yugoslavia as part of a campaign of disruption from within. , It is reliably reported that the German Minister in Bucharest is urging the Rumanian Government to sponsor the claims of the Vlach people for special treatment. The origin of this scattered minority is uncertain. They were once considered Greek, but lately have been encouraged to regard themselves as Rumanians.