RUSSIA’S DISAPPROVAL

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21362, 5 March 1941, Page 5

RUSSIA’S DISAPPROVAL

GERMAN ENTRY INTO BULGARIA NAZI MOTORISED UNITS POUR SOUTH TURKEY TAKES GRAVE MEW OF SITUATION (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received March 5, 12.25 p.m.) LONDON, March 4 Russia has reinforced her troops on the frontier of Rumania, where mobilisation is proceeding swiftly under the direction of members of the German staff, says the Sofia correspondent of the American Press. Lines of German motorised units, some fifty miles long, continue to pour southwards through the three main Balkan mountain passes. Members of the British Legation and consular officials in Sofia, numbering about fifty, have completed arrangements to leave. An announcement of a rupture in AngloBulgarian relations is expected at any moment. The Berlin radio says the entry of German troops into Bulgaria continues according to plan without interruptions. The Bulgarian people welcome the German soldiers in the friendliest way, often with raised hands and shouts of “Heil Hitler!” Commenting on the Russian Note, official circles in Berlin declared that Russia is in a somewhat different position from Germany in regard to English provocations in the Balkans. Anyway, Russo-Bulgarian and not Russo-Ger-man relations are affected. The Sofia correspondent of the American Press says Russia’s disapproval of Bulgaria’s attitude has stunned Government circles. The press gives prominence to the Wilhelmstrasse assurances that Russia would be kept fully informed in advance of Bulgaria’s actions. Messages from Ankara state that the gravity with which Turkey views the Balkan situation is shown by the fact that she has exercised her rights under the Montreux Convention in deciding to police the Dardanelles. The relevant article of the convention says that Turkey may require vessels to follow a prescribed route through the Straits with Turkish pilotage if Turkey considers herself threatened or in imminent danger of war. British Attack Probable

Although Berlin denies that Ribbentrop or any high German official went to Turkey, Istanbul reports say that the Courier was a Wilhelmstrasse official, Dr. Pfisterer. The Ulus, in a leader, says that nobody believes that the German occupation of Bulgaria will end the war in the Balkans. On the contrary, it removes the only obstacle preventing British bombing 'of Rumanian oilfields. The British will not need to declare war on Bulgaria if they want to attack across Bulgaria. They will only need to repeat Marshal Graziani’s basis for attacking Egypt. The Italian paper, the Corriere del lasera, says that Bulgaria and Rumania are now safe from the possibility of attack by England, but the present situation is only transitory. Apart from the necessity of protection there is a complete strategical problem which the Axis intends to solve rapidly. This will assume vast proportions even before Mr Eden returns to London. RUMANIA WARNED BRITISH WAR MEASURES ATTACK ON GERMANS (United Press Aasu. —Erec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, March 4 Britain sent a warning to Rumania late last week, says the Sofia (Bulgaria) correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, stating that Britain and Greece would begin war measures against the -Germans in Rumania unless Rumania took steps to force the Germans to leave by March 5. Rumania is reported to have undertaken to move the Germans from Bucharest, it was asked, should be treated as an open city. Britain, adds the correspondent, was expected to break with Bulgaria before then, which would permit the sending of bombers across Bulgaria. The Belgrade correspondent of the Associated Press says warplanes, identified as British, today flew high over Yugoslavia.. It is believed they were bound for Rumania. Relations With Bulgaria Britain’s relations with Bulgaria continue on the same basis as before Bulgaria’s adherence to the Axis Pact and the British Minister, Mr George Rendel, is still at Sofia, states a British official wireless message dated March 3. It is for Mr Rendel to decide the date of his departure. A subsequent report says Mr Rendel has gone to Athens to see Mr Eden. Preparations for making Sofia an open city are proceeding. The War Office is moving to the suburbs, nine miles out, and military schools and all barracks will be moved beyond the city. The Bremen radio says the Rumanian Prime Minister, General Antonescu, yesterday held a plebiscite asking for endorsement of his policy. It resulted in 99.9 per cent of votes being cast for General Antonescu. v- SYRIA SUFFERS BADLY ‘ TRADE WITH BULGARIA (United Tress \?sn.—£!••<• Te> Cooy»lßht, LONDON. March 4 Syria will suffer badly as a result of the occupation of Bulgaria, says the Times correspondent on the Syrian frontier. The authorities at Beirut recently negotiated with Bulgaria with the object of obtaining a wider range of mufch-needed commodities in exchange for local products, but it is doubtful whether trade exchanges will now be possible.