BLAZE OF REVOLT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 August 1941, Page 6

BLAZE OF REVOLT

DEVELOPING SERIOUSLY IN BALKANS DANGER TO AXIS POWERS. HEAVY MILITARY DEMAND ON ITALY. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.5 p.m.) LONDON, August 25. The defiance of the Serbian mountain irregulars, who are reported to hold the larger part of the wild and rocky fortresses of Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina constitutes a potential danger for the Axis Powers, whose hands are full with Russia, says “The Times” correspondent on the German frontier. Incessant attacks against German and Italian troops are reported. Croat attempts to restore order so far have been quite ineffectual. For this reason, the Italian authorities, fearing the destruction of railways, are obliged to undertake a military occupation of the whole Dalmation coast, from Fiume to Dubrovnik, and to extend their occupation for a considerable distance inland. Their first consideration is the safety of the extremely important

Flume-Split Railway. The Serbian rebels have already approached within twenty miles of this line. The upheaval directly affects the position on the Eastern front, because'the Germans, besides depending on Balkan food supplies, are at present hurriedly mobilising and sending to Russia all available’munitions and rolling stock. It is therefore of the utmost importance to the Germans to have no interruptions of railway transport throughout the Balkans. In addition to the general discontent which has been prevalent since the Balkans were forced to participate in the military campaign against Russia, all the age-long Balkan animosities have been aroused, notably between Hungary and Rumania. The danger inherent in the Croatian upheaval is that it may start a new conflagration in the Balkans.