Evening star., 1940-05-08

Huneory's Permission
Sought for Possose
Of Nozi Troops
~ the Assoclsted Press.
BUDAPEST, May s.-Reports Of
q request for a German Army right
of-way through Hungary and q
strong British drive to weld the
Balkans into defensive alliance"
gave new shape today to Southeast
ern Europe's war fears.
1t was generally felt that the
belligerents, searching for a battle
field, had picked this corner Of
Europe as q likely place to fight.
The report of a German request
on Hungary for free passage of her
legions into the Southeast-pre-
sumably an action to be taken when
strategy dictates-was carried by the
official Hungarian news agency with
a note saying that thus far the
report could not be verified.
It was circulated on the heels Of
word In Balkan diplomatic circles
of redoubled British efforts to line
up Yugoslavia. Rumania, Bulgaria,
Greece and Turkey for a united
stand against any aggression"
The method by which the report
Of the German right-of-way request
was given currency was roundabout.
1t was published first in a Belgrade,
Yugoslavia, newspaper, Politika,
credited to Politika's Budapest corre-
spondent. The Hungarian news
agency then reproduced the story.
Publication Called mistake"
Although officials said that pub
lication Of the dispatch by the Hun
garian agency was "a mistake" the
agency failed to issue an order elm
mating the dispatch.
Several times in the past, inspired
Hungarian newspapers, as well as
the news agency, have taken such
devious course to tell Hungarians
what was transpiring inside their
own country.
Another straw in the wind of fore
boding was concurrent publication
In the Sofia, Bulgaria, newspaper,
Utro-so-called mouthpiece of Nazi
Germany in Bulgaria-of a Berlin
dispatch declaring that Germany
and Italy were ready to send formid-
able forces into Southeastern Europe
at the first sign OF allied action in
that quarter.
I'm case the allied troops violated
any OF the Balkan countries from
tiers. the Reich will send an ulti-
matum to that country demanding
it choose Immediately one or the
other belligerent camp" Utro said.
I'm the event the country in ques-
ton failed to answer with appro-
pirate speed the Reich government
would be forced to undertake any
measures 1t thought advisable.
ANY allied attempt to extend the
war into Southeastern Europe might
force Germany and Italy to put into
action much greater forces for the
immediate Illustration of any such
attempt"
Yugoslavs Call More Men.
The Balkan tension appeared at
its peak in Yugoslavia. That ma
ton, reported with 100000 veteran
troops already on her Italian and
German frontiers, was calling 3OO.-
600 more men to the colors while
improving Notifications and other
defenses.
While recruits swung along YuRo-
slav roads, peasants helped army
engineers pour concrete for tank
barricades and in the nations Ad-
riatic harbors. facing Italy, mine
layers loaded their explosive cargoes.
ready to blockade ports at a mo-
ment's notice.
Italians Reported Expelled.
Anti-espionage control was tight
ened and all railway stations put
under Yugoslav military command
following reports of the arrest and
expulsion of three Italian Army
officers.
Government officials denied the
report, but informed circles said the
authorities at the important Dali
matian railroad center of Knin had
seized three italian officers in pos
session of new photographs of Yug-
oslav Notifications.
YugoSlav quarters generally faced
the darkening international outlook
with calmness, though many ex-
pressed the belief that If war comes
fhair rsyN,,1l ho ~. to- -.
military pincers Of the Rome Berlin
axis.
Informed Yugoslavs feared that
Italy would use her base at cara, on
the Dalmatian coast, to thrust be-
hind Yugoslavia's strongly fortified
frontier with Germany and try to
outflank Yugoslav forces east Of
Maribor, key point In the country's
northern defenses.
The fever Of precautions gripped
other Balkan countries in varying
degrees.
Authoritative quarters in Belgrade
reported that Yugoslav-Russian
trade talks in Moscow had turned
from commerce to political sub
jects" as result of Yugoslav fears
OF possible German Italian move.
Political circles expressed belief
that Yugoslavia was seeking quick
re-establishment of full diplomatic
relations with Soviet Russia.
Bulgaria Seen as Key.
Bulgaria appeared to be the key
to any British plan to unite the
Balkans in a defensive way. Bull
garia, most of all, has baked at any
such alliance. She was a German
ally In the World War.
The British Ambassador to Tur-
key, Sir Hughe Knatchbull- -Huges-
sen, was in Sofia and was said to
have made a high offer for Bulgar-
ian adherence to defensive sys-
tenn. Bulgarian participation, it was
eojl mould nV,or1o nd no SEQ oa