GERMANY AND YUGOSLAVIA.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 April 1941, Page 4

GERMANY AND YUGOSLAVIA.

yyiTlf the fact, that Nazi Germany is coni innings vigorously and viciously fo wage a war of nerves on Yugoslavia, satisfactory evidence appears that t hese.efforts are failing signally to achieve their intended imrpose. In events like Ihe acceptance by lhe Croat Peasant Part.v leader, Dr Matehek, of the post of Deputy-Premier, as well as in every reported indication of the course and trend of public opinion in Yugoslavia, there is proof that the Prime Minister, (leneral Simovitch, spoke for a people united and resolved when he acknowledged, in an interview with the representative of a Greek newspaper, that Greek heroism had shown his nation the path it should tread, and added: — Words are superfluous at present. The Yugoslav nation is hostile to no one and her army seeks only to safeguard her independence and national dignity, which we shall firmly defend. We are ready to be friends with the people who surround us. and lhe maintenance of friendship depends on them alone. The issues raised between Germany and Yugoslavia are here stated With blunl candour. Yugoslavia will light only in lhe event of German aggression, but present indications are that nothing will restrain the Nazis from attempting lo bend Yugoslavia. to their will. The war of nerves divides into two main parts —an attempt to stir up internal dissensions in Yugoslavia and the fabrication, by the dissemination of invented and lying allegations of the maltrealment. of miiiorilies ami in other ways, of pretexts for attacking that country. It now seems lo be established that attempts lo play on the fears of the Yugoslavs or to divide them into conflicting lad ions will fail, but the Nazis no doubt will easily maiiufaetiire pretexts for aggression if they decide that dominalion over Yugoslavia is essential to lhe prosecution of their offensive plans in lhe P.alkans. The broad possibilities the situation holds stand unaltered. If Germany respects lhe independence and neutrality of Yugoslavia, any Balkan offensive she may undertake will i>e somewhat seriously hampered and perhaps menaced. If she attacks Yugoslavia, she will lie entering upon a difficult and doubtful struggle in which from the outset heavy demands will be made upon her resources. It is an interesting side of Hie situation, and an indicalion of lhe disorder into which I lie Axis plans are falling, Dial Mussolini is reported lo be doing his utmost to avert war between Hie Axis ami Yugoslavia, because he I’ears that an early outcome would be the anniliilal ion of the Italian expecl it iona ry force in Albania.