APPEAL FOR ORDER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 March 1941, Page 6

APPEAL FOR ORDER

MADE BY NEW YUGOSLAV PREMIER PUBLIC OPINION BEHIND CHANGES. DESIRE FOR GOOD RELATIONS (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.39 a.m.) RUGBY, March 28. At the close of a Yugoslav Cabinet meeting last night, the Prime Minister (General Simovitch) issued a communique in which he emphasised that: “Pressure of public opinion brought about the changes. There has been no more reason for anxiety from the moment King Peter took power into his hands and formed a Government of National Unity of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. “In the name of the Government,” the Premier added, “I appeal to citizens. as well as to authorities, to assist the Royal Government in fulfilling its duties to maintain order in the country ad peace on the frontiers. I appeal to all patriotic citizens of Yugoslavia to avoid manifestations which would render difficult our relations with neighbouring countries, with which we desire to live now, and in the future, in peace and friendship. I appeal to the people not to commit any irresponsible acts, nor to be influenced from any party. Let us take care of ourselves independently and with dignity. Strict order and a correct attitude are the first conditions to carry out successfully the tasks facing us.”

“FULL NEUTRALITY” DECLARATION OF POLICY. NO RATIFICATION OF PACT WITH AXIS. (Received This Day 12.55 p.m.) LONDON. March 28. The new Yugoslavian Cabinet, after an all-night sitting, decided, according to usually reliable sources in Belgrade, to return to full and absolute neutrality. Yugo--1 siavia, it is stated, will not denounce its signature of the Axis pact, but will not ratify it. General Simovitch (Prime Minister), is reported to have informed Herr von Herren (German Minister) that Yugoslavia wishes to remain on peaceful terms with Italy and Germany, as with all other countries, but that the fulfilment of the full terms of the pact is impossible, because they are contrary to the will of the people. On the other hand. Herr von Herren was informed that Yugoslavia has not intention of participating in any combination with Britain and Greece. Her policy of neutrality will be as firm towards London and Athens as towards the Axis. It is understood that some members of the Cabinet, especially those who resigned, and have been reinstated, favoured an - outright denunciation pact but M. Matchek and other Croat Ministers, whose home province borders on Germany, argued that Germany in such an event would certainly march into the country. They favoured leaving the first step to the Axis. Prince Paul, tendering his resignation as Regent, said: “Realising how well-founded are the reasons which prompted you to take the Royal Powers at this difficult moment for our people, the Regents hereby place their powers at your disposal.” King Peter, members of Cabinet and the Diplomatic Corps, including the Axis Ministers, attended at the Orthodox Cathedral when King Peter kissed the Cross, signifying his formal assumption of the Royal power.

MUTUAL AID DISCUSSED WITH TURKEY (Received This Day, 12.55 p.m.) BELGRADE, March 28. General Simovitch. after a long conference with the Turkish Minister, is reported to have proposed a mutual assistance pact. The American Minister delivered a Note confirming the promise of the United States fully to aid the new Government. GERMAN VIEW PACT OPERATIVE FROM DAY OF SIGNATURE. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright)' (Received This Day, 12.55 p.m.) BERLIN, March 28. The official news agency stated that there were anti-German demonstrations in numerous districts in Yugoslavia last night. Cinemas showing German films had their furniture wrecked. Three thousand German economic experts, journalists and trade representatives are proceeding x home. A Foreign Office spokesman said Germany was protesting to Yugoslavia against anti-German excesses. Germany had not made representations to Yugoslavia about policy, because it was not customary for a Government to throw overboard the treaties of its predecessors. The pact did not require ratification, because it contained a clause declaring that it was operative from the day of its signature.

YUGOSLAV ARMY STRONG & WELL-EQUIPPED. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day. 12.55 p.m.) ANKARA. March 28. The official radio stated that the Yugoslav Army of 800,000 men was the best equipped in the Bakans and was largely concentrated in the south, where it could co-operate with Greece and drive out the Italians from Albania. FRENCH APPROVAL OF CHANGE IN YUGOSLAVIA. MARSEILLES DEMONSTRATION. (Received This Day. 1.15 p.m.) MARSEILLES. March 28. Some 10.000 demonstrators, shouting “'Long live Serbia!” surged in the Place De La Bourse, where King Alexander was assassinated. The demonstration grew spontaneously when it was reported that there was a new Yugoslav Government, which was anti-Axis,