FORCED TO FIGHT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 April 1941, Page 5

FORCED TO FIGHT

PROCLAMATION BY KING PETER COMFORT TAKEN FROM UNITY. ENEMY'S RUTHLESS ATTACK. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 8. In a proclamation, to the people of Yugoslavia, King Peter said: “Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, never even in your dreams did you intend injury to anyone. Now you are forced to fight for your existence. He said that the war was raging around them, because all that the Croats and Slovenes wanted to do was to live in peace, freedom and independence. After the enemy’s ruthless attack it was clear that he wanted the | complete destruction of their nation. Just as in the past they had heroically defended their country, shedding blood for its freedom and independence, said King Peter, he was sure that they would do the same now.

“Let us look calmly into the future and have faith in God and His righteousness," he said. "Let us take comfort from the unity of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, who are going forward into battle well aware of the fact that they do their duty unitedly and together. Forward to victory!” HAVOC IN BELGRADE.

The Belgrade radio, in a description of the first German air attack, stated that on Sunday morning the capital was attacked ruthlessly by heavy planes, causing many innocent casualties, and turning a great part of Belgrade into ruins. Heroic and martyred Belgrade was the first victim of an unexpected and unprovoked attack. On the ruins of Belgrade a better and greater capital of all the southern Slavs was to be erected. The radio stated that the Minister of Public Works and leader of the Slovenes was killed in the air raids on Belgrade. In spite bf the dislocation of communications in Yugoslavia the British Government is in touch with the British Minister in that country, Mr. Ronald Campbell. The Minister and his 1 staff are safe and well. Vichy reports that France's representative in Yugoslavia has been instructed to follow the Government from Belgrade. CROAT LEADER’S STATEMENT.

The Croat leader and Vice-Premier of Yugoslavia, Dr. Matchek. in a broadcast to his people from Zagreb said. “Croat people, brothers and sisters: I have come back into your midst to tell you that the greatest of disasters has befallen us. You have always listened to me in all the anxious hours, and I am sure you will do the same now. lam going to remain among you and share with you every sorrow and trial. I shall k’eep in touch with the whole Croat nation through the representatives of the Peasant Party, and I ask of you complete discipline everywhere, whether in the army or at home. Have faith in God and in the unity of the Peasant Party.”

The Czech President. E)r. Benes, has sent a telegram to King Peter conveying his good wishes to the King and the army in the fight against a “criminal attack perpetrated by a barbarous aggressor.”

Dr. Benes telegraphed. “I know that the Yugoslav people will triumph over theip new big trial and will overcome further sufferings with the heroism that was shown in the last war. We won against our common enemy in 1918 and I firmly believe we shall be victorious again in this war. which will decide the fate of our two States and our two nations.”