NAZIS AND GREECE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 March 1941, Page 5

NAZIS AND GREECE

CRITICAL STAGE REACHED

DIPLOMATIC ACTIVITIES. AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA & TURKEY. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, March 18. German ami Greek relations are deteriorating. ' Neutral correspondents in Berlin declare that they have reached a critical stage. The Germans have opened a Press and radio campaign against Greece.

The German Foreign Office spokesman refused to comment on the situation, which suggests that the military are now in control, but Germany is obviously doing her utmost to achieve a diplomatic victory over Yugoslavia and Turkey before taking military action against Greece. Dispatches from Rome also suggest that Italy may be delaying influence because she is desirous of gaining a victory in Albania or at least launching a successful offensive before the Germans move. There is still no sign of such a success. Authoritative circles in. Berlin indicated that German diplomatic action is proceeding with the purpose of reaching a complete understanding with Turkey. The Turks celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of the battle of the Dardanelles with a declaration that that battle was the supreme test of Turkey’s determination to defend herself at all costs and that the Turks were ready to repeat the “miracle of the Dardanelles” if necessary. The Yugoslavs are reported to have mined the Danube against a surprise attack across the river.

The Belgrade correspondent of the Greek newspaper “Proias” says Germany is now asking Yugoslavia for the free transfer of merchandise across Yugoslavia and the establishment of hospitals for German wounded. The correspondent believes acceptance of the terms is improbable because they imply the transit of war materials and the entrance of German troops under the guise of wounded. The Yugoslav Press widely publicised a Wilhelmstrasse statement that it is “too early to give information about the GermanYugoslav discussions.” This is the first admission that any negotiations are proceeding. Yugoslavia is already co-operating in the new order in the sense that twothirds of her exports go to Germany. Also Germany gained an initial economic victory in a mark-dinar agreement whereby the rate was raised from 14.8 dinars to the mark to 17.8, enabling Germany to obtain cheaper Yugoslav products. For these reasons wellinformed quarters in Belgrade are of the opinion that a formal agreement may be replaced by a declaration of Yugoslavia’s willingness to co-operate in the new order.

Mr. Anthony Eden has had another meeting with the Turkish Foreign Minister (M. Saracoglu), at Cyprus, the 8.8. C. reports. A communique states that various developments in the international situation, which had taken place since the recent talks were reviewed, and the complete identity of views which exist between the two countries were re-emphasised.