THREAT TO BULGARIA
OPENING MOVE IN BALKAN
BLITZ
EARLY ACTION BY NAZIS EXPECTED.
MILITARY PREPARATIONS IN FINAL PHASE.
' Fly Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright » LONDON February 5. The Sofia correspondent of "The Times" says a German move through Bulgaria may now he considered almost certain. Bulgaria's position has developed gradually from diffiviili and delicate to desperate and tragic. she is noi expected to be able tn retain her independence for more I han a few weeks.
Great diplomatic pressure is being exerted to induce her to sign the Three Power Pact, a draft of which Colonel Draganoff, Bulkarian Minister in Berlin. has delivered to Sofia. Since a German “proposal” means a demand, it is unlikely that Bulgaria will be able to decline again or postpone her decision. It is reliably reported in Bucharest and also in the Bulgarian Danubian ports that German military preparations have reached their final phase. Observers on the Bulgarian side of the southern Danube have seen the Germans preparing barges and pontoons. German "technicians" are installed in almost all the large Bulgarian towns and also at strategic points in northern Bulgaria. "Tourists" who are flooding the leading Bulgarian cities will undoubtedly take over control the moment Germany launches her Balkan blitz. TURKEY’S PROBABLE COURSE. The Bulgarian tragedy will begin when Turkey officially declares that the passing of foreign troops across Bulgaria will be dangerous to Turkish interests. The Turkish army may not wail till the Germans roach the Turk-ish-Bulgarian frontier. Thus Bulgaria may immediately become the centre of Balkan military operations which would certainly be ruinous to the country. The Bulgarian forces manning the Turkish-Bulgarian, frontier may easily be dragged into the operations. and it is unlikely that any Bulgarian commander would agree not to oppose the Turks even if ordered to do so from Sofia.
This seems part of the German plan, because after clashes on the 'lAirkishBulgaifan frontier Sofia s pro-German Government might seek Gorman help against Turkish aggression. On the contrary, strong opposition is developing among the moderates and Communists, both of whom are requesting the Government to sign a Russian-Bulgar-ian pact of military assistance, but the army, who high officers are completely under German influence, will not tolerate this, even were the Government willing.
M . BagrianofT. the Bulgarian Minister of Agriculture, and a staunch proGerman. has resigned it is believed as the result of a cjuarrcl with the Premier, Professor Film! over the question of the passage of German troops. The resignation may lead to a serious crisis. The Ministry ,>f Agriculture, which Professor FilotT has taken <>v<-r. is second in importance tn the Premiership.
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Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 February 1941, Page 6
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430THREAT TO BULGARIA Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 February 1941, Page 6
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