The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-28
JUCOSLAVIA MAY
BESWEPT TO WAR
Continued from Page y

1t was thought here that the Ital-
lians would drive toward Salonika,
and the strategic area controlling
the Aegean Sea and the approaches
TO the Dardanelles.
A cabinet meeting scheduled for
late afternoon probably will formu-
late formal statement on the war.
All the shortest and best routes
from Italy and Central Europe to-
ward the Aegean lead through Jugo-
slavia.
Border reports concerning the al
legged rebellion in Albania said that
it was utilized as a pretext by the
Italians to attack Greece. Accord
ing to these reports the rebellion
was widespread, especially in noun
famous regions close to the Greek
frontier.
(Rome reported that the news
paper Lavoro Fascista said that a
British plane from Greece flew over
southern Albania this morning,
dropping pamphlets urging the AL
banians to rise against the Ital-
ians)
It was said here that one factor
in Jugoslavia't attitude toward any
4, Axis request for troop passage would
be the speed with which the British
come to the aid of Greece. Another
was said to be the attitude of Soviet
Russia.
Britain To Keep Pledge
Greece appealed for British aid
and Britain announced that she re-
garded Greece as her ally and would
make good her pledge.
It was estimated that 10 to II
italian divisions, plus auxiliaries
numbering in all about 100000 men
made up the Italian attack force
Included, it was reported, were an
armored division and an Alpine di-
vision, one. of the crack units of the
Italian army.
Italian warships attacked Greek
naval bases as the italian 1egions
under the protection of massed air
planes, poured through the noun
tain passes from Albania into
Greece, advises said.
Jugoslavia, hemmed in and fear
ful OF a general Balkan explosion
made retady to proclaim its formal
neutrality and it was reported that
Bulgaria also would remain neutral
Warships of the powerful British
| Mediterranean fleet were reported
racing at full speed from Egyptian
waters to the Aegean Islands, seek
ing contact with the italian fleet.
Italians Enter Greece
Italian troops entered Greece at
many points, it was reported. More
than 100000 men, it was said, had
been awaiting the zero hour.
Frontier dispatches reported that
the Italian vanguard had penetrat-
ed Greece as far as the first\ forti-
f1catlons, which the Greeks hao
erected some distance inside Their
frontier.
Unconfirmed reports said italian
fleet units had landed troops al
some southern Greek Islands before
British warships were able to make
their dash from Egyptian waters.
Balkan countries awaited eagerly
news from Turkey, which had indi.
Gated that it might regard an attack
upon Greece as a threat to its owr
security.
Frontier reports said Greeks were
rushing to the colors with remark
able enthusiasm.
Sofia Bulgaria, reporting seriou!
fighting ON the Greek-Albaniar
frontier, said the situation in al
Southeastern Europe was acutel,
tense as governments awaited an in
dication by Turkey of its attitude.
Fear In Balkans
Reports indicated that there wa
acute fear in the Balkans of a gen
eral explosion.
Sofia expressed belief that if Tur
key went to Greece's aid, Germany
within a few hours, might marcl
from Rumania into Bulgaria.
An italian ultimatum was handle,
to Gen. John Metaxas, Premier o
Greece, at a. m. Athens time {
p. m. Sunday EST demanding &C
ceptance of the italian terms with
in three hours.
Gen. Metaxas rejected the ultima
tum, ordered general mobilization
Of the Greek armed forces and is
sued proclamation to the Greel
armed forces and people of the ma
ton in which he said:
"The time has come for all Greek
to fight to the death for all tina
they hold dear"