GERMANY HESITATES IN BALKANS

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21370, 14 March 1941, Page 4

GERMANY HESITATES IN BALKANS

Although events in the Balkans are still carefully shrouded in secrecy, enough has been made known to indicate that the Germans are not completely at ease over their occupation of Bulgaria. Russia is known to be displeased at the occupation, Turkey is standing firm and Yugoslavia has not deviated from her policy of strict neutrality. There is still a possibility that the Nazis will be opposed by a united front, and therefore they are proceeding warily. Judging by experience, the ground has not yet been sufficiently prepared for another German step. Reliable sources are reported to have said that the Russian Prime Minister, Molotoif, has assured Turkey that no attack from Russia need be feared if Turkey entered the war. If that is true it is a highly important development. Turkey is naturally cautious in view of the experience of Poland and Rumania, where Russia shared the spoils with the Germans, but there is reason to believe that Russia is now becoming very nervous about Germany’s progress into areas that vitally concern the Soviet. Turkish friendship with Russia would ensure the Russians an outlet from the Black Sea, but with Germany astride the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles Russia would have cause to fear the consequences of that steadily encircling movement which Germany has been pursuing. If Russia is unwilling to attempt to stop the Germans herself she would be foolish to prevent the Turks performing that service.

Yugoslavia’s position is still very obscure. It is alleged that the Prime Minister, M. Tsvetkovich, was to have visited Berlin this week to sign a non-aggression pact with Germany, but that the visit has been postponed. Important events have intervened elsewhere, including the passage of the “ Lend or Lease ” Bill in the United States, reports of Russian diplomatic moves in Turkey and Bulgaria and a flood of “ no-surrender ” resolutions by organisations throughout Yugoslavia. The impression is that Yugoslavia can still be saved from the German clutches if her neighbours show sufficient determination to defend their rights against the aggressor.