NAZI PRESSURE

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21374, 19 March 1941, Page 6

NAZI PRESSURE

TROOPS IN BULGARIA YUGOSLAVIA DEMAND TURKEY AND RUSSIA (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, March 18 Faced with determined Greek resistance, which, immediately Germany attacks, will be supported fully with Empire forces, Germany dare not add Hie formidable Yugoslav Army to this opposition, says the Istanbul correspondent of the Daily Mail. Germany knows Yugoslav politicians might agree to the passage of troops, but the Army would not accept their signature. Because of this Germany has realised the inadequacy of her forces in the Balkans, and is increasing the number of troops in Bulgaria from 259,000 to 800,000. The Belgrade correspondent of the Times says many Germans are quitting Belgrade, where the situation remains tense. After the failure of its efforts to procure demobilisation ol the Yugoslav Army, German diplomacy is attempting to induce Yugoslavia to hand over large stocks of food reserves which have been accumulated for military purposes. There is no chance of Yugoslavia’s agreeing. It is revealed, adds the Times’ correspondent, that Yugoslavia, in addition to offering Germany a pact of friendship, sougnt a guarantee for Yugoslav' neutrality, including a condition that no auack be maac on the port of Salonika, where Yugoslavia bas free port rights and large economic interests, 'inis demand is reported to have taken the Germans auack.

Soviet Help For Yugoslavia According to the Ankara correspondent oi the Daily Telegrapn, Turkey, and also presumably Greece, have received the terms of a Soviet Note to Yugoslavia wnich was responsible for the Yugoslavs’ lirmnetx. The Note, it is reported, told Yugoslavia not to sign the Tripartite Pact because it would mean war in the Balkans; gave an assurance of Russian technical and financial help, anl also aeroplanes, if Yugoslavia were to be attacked; and asKea Yugoslavia to inform Russia 4<» houis before announcing any decisions. The Daily Mail’s Belgrade correspondent says two Yugoslav' Ministers are going to Germany on Wednesday to sign a pact oi nonaggrcssion and perpetual friendship, aiter which changes are expected in the Yugoslav Cabinet in order to ensure luller and smoother economic co-operation with Germany. Anglo-Turkish Solidarity A message from Istanbul says a semi-official spokesman strongly reaffirmed Anglo-Turkish solidarity, and said: “There is lull accord on a realistic plan and on the conditions under wnich Britain’s and Turkey's mutual engagements vviil operate in perfect conformity with each country’s vital interests. Turkey’s attitude has not changed. She is firm, strongly armed and watchful.” The spokesman added that the situation was such that a tiny spark might set ablaze the whole Balkan Peninsula. The danger had reached Turkey’s doorstep. A special emissary from the President of Turkey, General Ismet Inonu, has arrived in Berlin, states a German report. The emissary is said to have brought a reply to Hitler’s recent message to the Turkish Government. Nazi-Bulgarian Friction Reports of friction between German troops and Bulgarians are brought by travellers reaching Belgrade. One traveller states that a German major shot a young student during a visit to his home, because the student had said that the arrival of German troops in Bulgaria had not been received with enthusiasm. The student’s father then shot the German. Not long after, the father was hanged in front of the house.

EMPIRE AIR SCHEME TRAINING IN CANADA SPARE PARTS INDUSTRY BIG RESERVE ARMY t United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrights OTTAWA, March 17 Plans to establish an aircraft spare parts industry to keep Empire Air Scheme aeroplanes in flying condition were announced by the Canadian Air Minister, Mr C. G. Power. A number of aeroplanes were temporarily out of commission I because of the need for small parts j which were slow in coming from the ' United States or the United King- ; dom, he said. I Mr Power said the Canadian Air I Force comprised 3490 officers and | 42,732 airmen, of whom 10 per cent I were from other British countries. ! The total included 500 from the | United States. i Surveying the recruiting position, | Mr Power said of 93,000 21-year-j cidSj 33 per cent were not even up | to Army physical standards, while j another 33 per cent were between ! minimum Army and minimum Air J Force standards. Half of the re- ' mainder did not meet educational I requirements. | The Minister of Defence, Colonel ;J. L. Ralston, said the Dominion's ' reserve army had a strength of ! 175,000 men. all of whom had at i least 30 days' training. I “ THE GREAT DICTATOR ” SCREENING IN HAMILTON ‘ Contracts have been signed by Amalgamated Theatres. Ltd., for the screening of “ The Great Dictator." starring Charles Chaplin, and the pici..it will be shown in Hamilton shortly.