RUSSIA’S STAND

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21364, 7 March 1941, Page 5

RUSSIA’S STAND

NOTE TO BULGARIA ASSURANCE TO TURKEY NOTHING TO FEAR (United Tress Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, March 6 Russia’s Note to Bulgaria is reaching Bulgarians through Bulgarian Communists, who are distributing the full text, but distribution is limited owing to the imprisonment of most Communists since the Germans began to move. The Daily Mail’s correspondent at Istanbul says Russia’s statement links up with information from one in close touch with the British Ambassador to Russia, Sir Stafford Cripps, that a great change is stated to have occurred in the Soviet attitude since Germany’s intentions in

Bulgaria became obvious, and the occupation of Bulgaria has stiffened ' Russia’s attitude beyond belief. It seems certain that Sir Stafford ; Cripps was able to bring assurances | ‘ to Turkey that in the event of hos- | i tilities Turkey would have nothing to j, fear from Russia. An Ankara message states that the | ■ newspaper Ulus says: “One must go I beyond th#2 text of the Soviet communique. Russia, of course, has been aware of the German preparations on the Danube for months. The ques- , tion is: Would Germany have used ; force if Bulgaria resisted? The answer is: No. Thus Bulgaria bears i the responsibility for spreading the war in the Balkans.” For the third night in succession the Russian radio last night broadcast in Bulgarian expressing its disapproval of Bulgaria's attitude toward Germany. Colossal Nazi Forces Axis sources have put out reports ; that the German forces in South Bulgaria are colossal, and have suggested through various channels that an attack against Greece may be expected an any hour. Eye-witnesses described the three main routes southward across Bui- , garia as “ solid miles of mechanised vehicles and material.” Certainly German troops, including the heaviest mechanised units, continue to travel unceasingly by air, road and rail. All vehicles are camouflaged against air attack. One estimate places the German air strength in Bulgaria at 1000 bombers, 600 lighters and 100 reconnaissance machines, with a similar number in Rumania. The Rome radio says that Germany’s heavy guns dominate the Greek frontier. The Greeks have pressed on their defensive preparations in the mountain passes from Bulgaria. On Greek Frontiers Twelve German divisions, totalling about 150,000 men, are reported to be massed on the Greek frontier. The Bulgarian Army has assumed control of the radio, telephones and telegraphs. Bulgaria has called up men between the ages of 16 and *5 and women between 20 and 50, in eight cities, including Sofia, for civilian defence. There is no clarification of the Russian and Yugoslav attitudes. Yugoslavia has called up its 1891 to lyl9 classes, officially lor normal spring manoeuvres. GERMANY’S OFFER GUARANTEE TO TURKEY ATTITUDE OF RUSSIA (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, March's Germany is reported to have offered to replace Britain as Turkey’s guarantee against Russia. The Berlin correspondent of the New York Times expresses the opinion that Hitler’s Note to Turkey produced a placating effect, both on Turkey and Russia. He says official quarters in Berlin state that the Soviet was fully informed of the German intention to occupy Bulgaria. Any critical observations from Soviet quarters, therefore, must be accepted as fitting into the elastic framework of those diplomatic and political privileges and prerogatives of a detached onlooker. NO IMPRESSION TURKISH POLICY UNCHANGED j HITLER AND PRESIDENT | DAVENTRY, March 7 i Hiller's message to President Inonu has made no impression in Turkey. - Reuters’ Ankara correspondent ' states that he can find no one 1 who claims that the message 2 will have any effect on Turkish I policy.