ITALIAN PRESSURE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21247, 18 October 1940, Page 6

ITALIAN PRESSURE

MENACE TO GREECE GERMANY AND BULGARIA AXIS POWERS INTENTION tUnited pres* Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Oct. 17 While Italy is continuing pressure on Greece, the Germans are doing their utmost to bring Bulgaria under their control, says the Times’ correspondent in the Balkans. So far there have been no reports of the actual arrival of German troops in Bulgaria, but the country has long been flooded with “tourists” and the flow is not abating. There are also reports that German submarines have been sent via the Danube to Bulgaria as well as to Rumania. It is even reported that German-Bulgarian staff talks are already taking place. Meanwhile, the intentions of the Axis Powers are becoming clearer. In the first place, the German press has apparently been ordered to cease referring to the possibility of Spain entering the war. Secondly, authenticated reports from northern Italy **efer to trainloads of German troops entering Italy and moving southward; it is believed they are bound for Libya. German staff officers are now with Marshal Graziani, and German troops in Austria are reported to be training for desert warfare. Soviet and Axis Thirdly, Berlin is seeking to force Moscow into an open declaration, including recognition of the Axis Powers’ leading role in Europe and renunciation of any intention to interfere in the spheres of the Axis Powers, the implication being that Communism must be confined to the present Russian frontiers. In return, Germany might be ready to recognise territorial acquisitions agreeable to Russia in the direction of the Indian Ocean. Diplomatic sources in Moscow state that Stalin recognises that the Soviet Army is too weak to do anything against Germany at present, although he fully appreciates the German danger. On the other hand, Germany is seemingly bent on obtaining a declaration in her favour, in view of the impossibility of launching a campaign against Russia as long as Britain is undefeated in the Mediterranean. Turkey and Russia It is stated from Ankara that the Turkish President, General Inonu, received the Soviet Ambassador, M. Vinogradoff. The Turkish Com-mander-in-Chief was present. The British Government, says the Daily Telegraph, is urgently considering the whole series of European problems which have arisen since the Axis began moving troops eastward. It was anticipated that after the occupation of Rumania, Germany would consolidate before pressing on with the Axis plan for extending control over the whole of I the Balkans, but so far as can be learned in London, pressure has increased against Greece, and is aimed primarily at inducing the latter to abandon the British guarantee. Greece so far has done nothing to comply with the Axis demands. On the contrary, she has given proof that she counts on the most active support of which Britain is capable. It has long been understood that the pact of non-aggression between Greece and Turkey has also secret military provisions for mutual assistance.

WAR EXPENDITURE BIG INCREASE IN CANADA REACHES 1,350,000,000 DOLLARS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Oct. 18, 3.15 p.m.) STRATFORD (Ontario), Oct. 17 The Minister for Revenue, Mr Gibson, stated that Canada’s annual expenditure has increased from 550,000,000 to 1,350,000,000 dollars. Shell production will soon reach 1,000,000 monthly. NAVAL ENGAGEMENTS AUXILIARY SHIP SUNK ADMISSION BY GERMANY BRITISH SUBMARINE ATTACKED United Press Asn.—dec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Oct. 18. 3.15 p.m.) BERLIN, Oct. 17 The news agency stated that superior British forces sank a small auxiliary naval ship off the coast of Norway. The losses were small. The Berlin radio claimed that dive-bombers attacked a British submarine in the English channel. Pieces blew up in the air. LONDON, Oct. 17 The Admiralty announced that His Majesty’s trawlers Resolve, Listrac and Warwick Deeping, and His Majesty’s drifter Summer Rose were recently sunk as a result of enemy action. WAR AND RACING POOR PRICES FOR YEARLINGS AVERAGE OF £5 EACH • UniP il press A->n.— Elec. Tel. Copyright; LONDON. Oct. 16 The war’s effect on racing was demonstrated at Tattersall’s sale at Newmarket. Thirty-eight yearlings by the country’s finest sires realised an average of £5 each.