RUMOURS DIE DOWN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 March 1941, Page 5

RUMOURS DIE DOWN

POSITION OF YUGOSLAVIA TURKISH SEMI-OFFICIAL INTIMATION. DECLARATION BY CROAT LEADER. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, March 15. For the first time in a fortnight there is a lull in the Balkans. The spate of rumours circulating in Belgrade has died down and any reports of negotiations between Germany and Yugoslavia have come from other Balkan countries. The Ankara radio reported that Yugoslavia was prepared only to sign a declaration of non-aggression and an economic agreement with Germany. Other unconfirmed reports state that 60,000 Italians are massed on the Yugo-slav-Albanian frontier, while Germany has concentrated large forces on the northern frontier. The editor of the semi-official Turkish newspaper “Ulus.” broadcasting in Istanbul, said that if Yugoslavia resister German aggression Turkey would fulfil her obligations by aiding Yugoslavia and Greece effectively. If Yugoslavia adhered to the Axis. Turkey would consider herself freed from obligation. The Budapest correspondent of the Havas agency says the British Consulate has asked British nationals not possessing ■ diplomatic passports to leave Hungary shortly. A Bucharest report says 10 British nationals, . including one woman, are among 74 people arrested to suppress occurrences threatening the existence and interests of the State.” Yugoslav newspapers yesterday published an article by the leader of the Croat Peasant Party in which he made an emphatic declaration in favour of peace and against interference with the war. “We ask for nothing that does not belong to us. and will not give away anything that is ours,” he said. Reports from Belgrade are meagre, but it is suggested that the German demands on Yugoslavia have been modified for the time being. One report suggests that Germany has now given up the idea of asking Yugoslavia to join the Tripartite Pact, in view of the feeling in the country against such a move.