FULL ACCORD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 March 1941, Page 5

FULL ACCORD

BRITAIN AND TURKEY ARMED WATCH & WARD. EXPLOSIVE SITUATION IN BALKANS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, March 17. A. semi-official spokesman in Istanbul strongly reaffirmed Anglo-Turkish solidarity. “There is full accord on the realistic plan arid conditions under which Britain’s and ‘Turkey’s mutual engagements would operate,” he said. “There is perfect conformity in each country’s vital interests. Turkey’s attitude has not changed. She is firm, strongly armed, watchful.” He added that the situation was such that a tiny spark might set ablaze the whole Balkan peninsula. The danger had now reached Turkey’s doorstep. A special emissary from the Turkish President has, according to an agency’ message from Berlin, arrived in the German capital, and it is stated that he has handed over the reply to Herr Hitler’s recent message sent to Turkey by special plane. Rumours that the German Ambassador to Turkey has arrived in Berlin have been denied. In the Turkish capital the feeling prevails that Germany is waging a war of nerves on Yugoslavia by continually reinforcing the troops on the Yugoslav-Bulgarian frontife. It is generally believed in Ankara that Yugoslavia is determined to remain neutral,

and will, if necessary, reply to force with force. The Belgrade radio has emphasised Yugoslavia’s desire for complete neutrality.

PROBLEM FOR NAZIS OPPOSITION OF YUGOSLAV ARMY. ADDITIONS TO FORCES IN BALKANS. LONDON, March 17. The Istanbul correspondent of the “Daily 'Mail” states that, faced with determined Greek resistance which immediately Germany attacks will be supported fully with Empire forces, Germany dare not add the formidable Yugoslav army to this opposition. Germany, it is added, knows that the Yugoslav politicians might agree to the passage of troops, but the army would not accept theii’ signatures. Because of this Germany has realised the inadequacy of her forces in the Balkans, for which reason, she is increasing her troops in Bulgaria from 250,000 to 800,000. The Belgrade correspondent of “The Times” says that many Germans are quitting Belgrade, where the situation remains tense. After the failure of its efforts to procure the demobilisation of the Yugoslav army, German diplomacy is now attempting to induce Yugoslavia to hand over large stocks of food reserves accumulated for'military purposes. There is no chance of Yugoslavia agreeing. It is revealed that Yugoslavia, in addition to offering Germany a pact of friendship, sought a guarantee for Yugoslav neutrality embracing no attack on the port of Salonika, where Yugoslavia has free port rights and a large economic interest. This demand is reported to have taken the Germans aback.

The “Daily Telegraph’s” Ankara correspondent states that Turkey, and also presumably Greece, have received the terms of the Soviet Note to Yugoslavia which was responsible for the Yugoslavs' firmness. The Note, it is reported, in the first, place told Yugoslavia not to sign the tripartite pact because it would mean war in the Balkans, secondly, it gave an assurance of Russian technical and I financial help and also planes if Yugoslavia was attacked, and thirdly asked Yugoslavia to inform Russia 48 hours before announcing any decisions. The “Daily Mail’s’” Belgrade correspondent reports that two Yugoslav Ministers are going to Germany tomorrow to sign a pact of non-aggression and perpetual friendship, after which changes are expected in the Yugoslav Cabinet in order to ensure fuller and smoother economic co-operation with Germany.