RUSSIAN FLEET

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

RUSSIAN FLEET

MANOEUVRES TO BEGIN CRITICISM OF BULGARIA SPREADING OF WAR .United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, March 4 The Russians have announced that they are strengthening their Black Sea Fleet. They say that spring manoeuvres, in conjunction with the | Soviet Air Force, will begin soon. I The Moscow radio says that the j Premier, M. Molotoff’s deputy, M. j Vishinsky, handed to the Bulgarian ; Minister to Moscow a Note sharply j criticising Bulgaria's acceptance of ' the German move. I The Note said the Soviet believes that Bulgaria’s acquiescence will ! mean the spreading of the war and | the involving of Bulgaria. The Moscow radio announcer said that a representative of the Bulgarian Foreign Office on March 1 handed to the Soviet Minister in Sofia a declaration that the Bulgarian Government consented to the arrival of German troops for the purpose of preserving peace in the Balkans. Soviet Reply Mr Vishinsky banded the Bulj garian Minister the Soviet Governi ment’s reply on March 3. The reply emphasised two points, as follows: (1) The Soviet cannot share the opinion of Bulgaria tnat the presence oi German troops in Bulgaria would facilitate the preservation of peace, because events would not be within the authority of the Bulgarian Government. Bulgaria has taken up this position without regard, to tne strengtnemng of peace. The position sne has adopted can only mean tbe spreading of tne war, ana Bulgaria win be involved. (2) The Soviet, faithful to the policy of peace, is not in a position to support Bulgaria in carrying out her present policy, particularly as the Bulgarian press, witnout hindrance, ' is spreading rumours which are representing boviet policy in an entirely j false way. j The terms of the Note were broad- ) cast to the Bulgarian people in Bulj garian. MR EDEN’S MISSION GREAT SUCCESS OF TALKS AGREEMENT WITH TURKEY (L'nitud Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrig-lit) LONDON, March 4 A report from Athens says it is understood that the talks between Mr Anthony Eden and Sir John Dill and the military and political leaders in Greece have resulted in agreement on all the most important questions. The success ol Mr Eden’s mission to Turkey is the subject of much comment in the press, where its excellent timing is noted. The visit, says the Daily Express, has played an | important part in upsetting the whole of Hitler’s carefully laid diplomatic plan". Details ol the Anglo-Turkish agreement are not disclosed, but, says the Times, the agreement clearly is a new basis for developing all-in cooperation with Greece. The Rumanian press asserts that the main purpose of Mr Eden’s talks in Turkey was to obtain permission for British warships to pass the Strait.!. An Athens news agency denies that British troops have landed at Salonika. NAZI PENETRATION BULGARIAN WEAKNESS GREEK RESISTANCE (United Press Assn.—Eiec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, March 3 The Times, commenting on Buigaiia s submission to Germany, recalls that in 1915, when Bulgaria threw in her lot with Germany, the act, inspired by territorial greed, was voluntary, says the official wireless. In March, 1941, Nazi intimidation was the power which induced Bulgaria to accept proposals she had refused four months earlier. “But the tragedy of indecision and pusillanimity is no less grave than the tragedy of ambition and covetousness.” adds the Times. “The culmination of the procession of Nazi penetration had been counted in advance, and the presence of Mr Eden and Mr Rendel still in the Near Fast suggests that a fairly accurate guess had been made as to the moment when it would be snatched. “The immediate effect of the Bulgarian collapse has been merely to strengthen the Greek resolve to redouble her resistance and Turkish faith in the value and solidarity of the British alliance. Unimpaired Confidence “The military victories in Albania and Africa are maintaining throughout the Near East umimpaired confidence in the fighting qualities of the Greek army and in the powers of the Royal Air Force. “Whatever the nature of the threat resulting from the Nazi move into Bulgaria, it may be assumed by Britain that it brings to an end for the duration of the war the independence of another small nation. “Excluding Hungary, Bulgaria is the seventh country swallowed up since the outbreak of the war by the insatiable Nazi war machine, but Rui mania and Bulgaria alone share the : shameful distinction of having signed | away their independence.” ! SUCCESS OF CAMPAIGN MR CHURCHILLS MESSAGE I GENERAL WAVELL PRAISED ' u nited I’re.s Assn. —r:!ee Tel. 'lunyrislin LONDON, March 4 j The Prime Minister. Mr Churchill, i has sent a message to General Sir Archibald Wavell congratulating him ■ on the success of his campaign. I A similar message has been sent i to Major-General A. G. Cunningham, [ officer commanding the forces in East Africa.