THRUST AT CAUCASUS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 September 1941, Page 5

THRUST AT CAUCASUS

FORETOLD IN TURKEY THREAT TO MIDDLE EAST. POSITION OF BULGARIA. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, September 15. Well-informed Turkish circles are convinced that Germany will stake everything on an early thrust against the Caucasus and southern Russia, says the Istanbul correspondent of “The Times,” Russia’s Note to Bulgaria is considered to be the prelude to 'very important developments in the Balkans and the Black Sea. The Bulgarians do not believe Russia will long remain a passive spectator, and the Axis may use Bulgarian territory and ports for an attack against Russia. In Turkey it is believed that Germany will soon launch a large-scale offensive along the whole sector from Kiev to the Black Sea, to force the Dnieper, simultaneously attacking the Crimea by land, sea and air, and pushing downward to reach the Caucasus before the winter. A German success in such an offensive would put them in a position to menace Iran, Iraq, and the whole Middle East, entailing the concentration of large British forces. Such results would certainly be worth the tremendous risks which the Germans would take. Political motives are even more compelling. Reports from Hungary and Rumania show that public feeling is on the verge of panic, and that the people are openly expressing opposition to the war policies. Turkish opinion has also stiffened in view of the Russian resistance. Following a report that Bulgaria intended to buy warships from Italy and sail them through the Dardanelles to ports on the Black Sea, the newspaper, “Ikdam,”. declaring that Bulgaria is a belligerent nation on account of the Greek declaration of war against her, says that such warships will not be allowed to pass through the straits. The article furthermore suggests that the Soviet Note to Bulgaria detailing breaches of neutrality was a warning that Russia would declare war if Bulgaria sought to aid the Axis by buying warships from Italy. “Therefore,” the paper says, “whichever way the problem is viewed it is impossible for these warships to pass through the straits.” The Nazi newspaper “Voelkischer Beobachter” yesterday published a front page picture of Grand Admiral Raeder visiting “naval bases in the south-east.” He was shown talking to Bulgarian officers.