STREAMING INTO BULGARIA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 February 1941, Page 5

STREAMING INTO BULGARIA

King Seems to Have Yielded, to Hitler LARGE ENEMY FORCES ON HUNGARIAN FRONTIER BLACKOUT AND RAID PRECAUTIONS IN RUMANIA LONDON, February 11. The “Daily Express’’ states that a few hours after Britain broke off relations with Rumania armoured trains filled with thousands of German officers and men dressed as civilians streamed from Rumania to Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Nearly every hotel in Sofia is commandeered for them. Bulgarian representatives in Berlin had provided special passports, eliminating Customs formalities on the frontier. The Germans are believed to be shock troops, experienced in fighting in the West, and all are aged between 23 and 2G. Bulgaria’s King Boris seems finally to have yielded to Hitler. Between 400,000 and 500,000 German troops are reported to be massed on the Hungarian frontier ready to move into Rumania. Germans crossed into Rumania during Rumania's first complete black-out, which General Antonescu decreed yesterday. The Rumanian newspapers carry columns of instructions for air-raid precautions. The black-out was most rigid, and buckets of sand and water have been distributed. It is stated in London that Britain may declare Rumania enemy-occupied territory. Washington reports that the British Ambassador, Lord Halifax, in a talk with the Secretary of State, Mr. Hull, commented on Britain’s break with Rumania and said that Britain might not stop there. He added that Mr. Churchill issued a “very grave warning’’ to Bulgaria in his broadcast on Sunday. A Bucharest message says that 150 British subjects are expected to go to Istanbul immediately with Sir Reginald Hoare and the 50 members of his staff. The Minister paid a farewell visit to General Antonescu. The United States Embassy will handle British affairs.