VARIOUS STORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 February 1941, Page 5

VARIOUS STORIES

THE ATTITUDE OF TURKEY BRITAIN SAID TO HAVE WARNED BULGARIA. ENEMY COMMUNICATIONS TO BE BOMBED. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON. February 10. The Rome radio announced that the editor of the Yugoslav newspaper "VrcmeT who is an Axis suppbrter, says that the tension between Turkey and the Axis Powers has diminished. Turkey, he says, refused a British demand for naval bases and for permission to send troops across Turkey. Turkey will defend herself if she is threatened, but such a threat no long-, er exists from the Balkans.

According to most authoritative sources'in Bulgaria, Britain has categorically warned the Bulgarian Premier. Professor Filoff, that the Royal Air Force will bomb the German lines of communication immediately German troops march on to Bulgarian soil. There is no confirmation of this in London.

Mr Churchill's speech macle a profound impression on all political authorities, and all the leaders of the Parliamentary Opposition formed a j joint deputation to Professor Filof£ demanding full information about Bulgaria’s future foreign policy, in view of the German military preparations in Rumania. They declared that Bulgaria is not ready and is unwilling to participate in any military action actively or passively. A majority of the deputation asked that Bulgaria should sign the proposed pact of military assistance with Russia and also that in no circumstances should Bulgaria break off relations with the western democracies, Professor Filoff declared that Bui--garia would never initiate aggressive j action against her neighbours, bitt ho did not mention the possibility of active co-operation between the Balkan nations.

A Sofia message says that M. Soboleff, General Secretary of the Soviet Commissariat of Foreign Allairs, was believed to be in Sofia. It was understood he was sent by the Soviet Union to get information on Bulgaria's action toward the expected German action in the Balkans and also on the Soviet's proposal for a military alliance which was communicated to Bulgaria two months ago. The Belgrade correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" says that the wises: suspend judgment on Stalin's intentions.

The diplomatic correspondent of ‘'The Times" says it is by no means certain that any definite proposals were made two months ago for a defensive pact. Tb.e Russian altitude arouses the suspicion that the Soviet is looking for an excuse not to help the Bulgars to resist German pressure. TENSION IN YUGOSLAVIA LONDON February II 'l’he Belgrade Correspondent ..f the “Daily Express” says the Yugoslav Press usually prints a long daily commentary on the Bulgarian situation, but this has suddenly stopped and the atmosphere has changed overnight from, mild optimism to tern • •■•n BELATED DENIAL ISSUED IN BULGARIA. MR. CHURCHILL’S STATEMENT 1 Received This Day. 8.25 am.) LONDON. February II The Sofia ollicia! r.rws agency announced at midnight 1 : “With reference - to Mr. Churchill’s statements on Sun- : day. that Germans entered Bulgaria and have occupied aerodrome*:, we are : authorised to declare that these state- | men's do m»t correspond with rrniitj ” j ......... • ••■ . • . .. . I Such <>f the cable on Ihji M I” j no hradcd hit* appeared In ”Tlir TlmrC - U tMiblrd to Au.Urabii and Nr,v : prrmlmion. It ’.lwuM br ' Sh»t the opinions arc not thonr of “The | Tsn;r-/‘ ur.lrti ttAtrd to hr 10,