BULGARIAN PROTEST

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 September 1941, Page 6

BULGARIAN PROTEST

AGAINST SOVIET WARNING DENIAL OF HOSTILE ACTION. RUSSIANS LEAVE FOR TURKEY. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 11.45 a.m.) LONDON, September 16. A Note in reply to the Russian warning cabled on September 11 denies aggressive intentions against Russia and declares that only defensive and precautionary , measures have been taken. Bulgaria protested against the assertion that the change in her penal regulations was a preparation for attack against the Soviet. “The change,” it is added, “is entirely of internal significance. It is regrettable that the Soviet misconstrues the facts of Bulgaria’s domestic life; otherwise it would not have any ground for complaining of Bulgaria’s disloyalty to Russia. The statement that Bulgaria has become a German and Italian base for hostilities against the Soviet especially surprises the Bulgarian Government, which knows nothing of provocative action against the Soviet on Bulgarian soil.” The Note alleges that bombs dropped over Bulgaria proved to be of Soviet origin. An Istanbul message states that nearly a' hundred Russian evacuees have arrived from Bulgaria. They include 'the wives and children of the staff of the Russian Embassy at Sofia. Many of the evacuees express the opinion that Russia will shortly break off relations with Bulgaria. The Berlin radio declared that a purge of Communists was proceeding throughout Bulgaria.

TASK ATTEMPT TO DEFEAT RED ARMY. SOME INTERESTING GERMAN ADMISSIONS.' (Received This Day, 10.10 a.m.) ZURICH, September 16. The “Frankfurter Zeitung,” editorially, says the German High Command has no intention of continuing the advance into the vast and seemingly endless Russian territory, in order to occupy every village and city, but must continue its operations for the necessary purpose of defeating the Red Army to such an extent that any threat from Russia will be impossible. This aim has already been partially reached, but further hard fighting and sacrifices are unavoidable, owing to the enormous masses of war material and soldiers Russia is able to bring to the front line. ALLEGED_VICTORIES NAZI CLAIMS ON NORTHERN FRONT. (Received This Day, 12.45 p.m.) LONDON, September 16. A German communique, says: -“A German army, under Colonel-General Buch, decisively defeated the Soviet Uth, 27th and 34th Armies southwards of Lake Ilmen, and, in a battle lasting for weeks, completely annihi- » lated nine enemy divisions, bloodily smashed nine others and took 53,000 prisoners. German divisions are advancing victoriously on a broad front, after forcing bridgeheads on the lower Dnieper, which were widened after bitter battles, lasting for several days.” The German News A.gency, ; amplifying the communiques in reference to the battle in the Lake Ilmen area, declares that Soviet troops attempted to advance from the Valdai Hills towards Staraya Russa, to create a diversion and assist the defence of Leningrad, but were heavily defeated and adds that the fact, that Russian prisoners numbered . half those captured in the Battle of Tannenburg indicates the strength of the Russian-forces thrown in.