The Wilmington morning star., 1940-04-12
GERMANY WARNS
BALKAN STATES
Continued From Page One)

navian invasion was the murder I'm
der Bucharest's arch of triumph of
a German girl and a German NUM-
tions expert, repeatedly. by "the
agent of another foreign power"
1t was feared international rami-
fi%cations Of the crime would in
crease Balkan tension.
Scattering Of leaflets from speed
ing automobiles in the streets Of
Belgrade last night in which Yugo-
slavs were warned, do not resist
Germany if you value your free.
dom,' also contributed to the filters.
Many persons were arrested, but
released.
Technical Violation
1t was generally admitted that
the presence of Nazi gunboats on
the Danube in their territorial
waters would be at least a techni-
cal violation of the little countries
neutrality, as well as a possible
opening wedge for German land op-
erations.
The trade warning was delivered
verbally, it was reported, by Nazi
representatives to trade leaders OF
the Balkans, rather than to the
governments themselves.
1t was understood the Nazis let it
be understood that any country
letting itself be caught "unneutral''
would be inviting action which
might extend to the military sphere.
Diplomats saw the reports as in
dicating Moscow and Berlin were
working closely to tie Rurnania in
with any plans they might have.
Bessarabia is the province Rumania
won from Russia in the World war
settlements, territory to which Rus.
STA never has renowned her claims.
Neutral Protection
Other reports said Rumania and
Yugoslavia had agreed to place
hundreds of river boatmen under
military command thus assuring
Germany of neutral protection Of
her vital Danube traffic.
1t was also learned that Bulgaria
was considering similar action, fol
lowing a German request that she
do so.
The fear is widespread that Ger
many is ready to seize the oppor
tunity at the first sign of "non-co-
operation to occupy the Danube
territories to the Black sea.
A typical effect of Germany's in
vasion of Scandinavia, was Turkeys
decision to suppress its heretofore
bitter anti-Nazi press comments. Of
ficials said such caution was neces-
sary so as not to give Germany any
preteXt for retaliation.
1t was reported that many pilots
Of barge crews in Rumania, Yugo
slavia and Bulgaria had signed two
year contracts with a British com
pany to stay off the river-some re-
ceiving the equivalent of $1,000 in a
lump sum.
Would Hit Shipping
The inactivity Of these rivermen
would cripple the slated transport
Of several millions of tons of oil
grain and other supplies to Ger.
many, unless the Rumanian and
Yugoslav governments call the pi.
lots for military service-thus void
ing the contracts.
Meanwhile, Allied military prera'
rations We're being pushed at top
speed in the Near East as compe-
tent observers expressed the belief
the war would next spread in that
direction.
The Allies apparently are deter
mined to lose no time in bringing
the Near Eastern army to adequate
fighting strength. Heavy reinforce
ments of men and munitions have
been asked of London and Paris.
Numerous British and French Of
ficials in the Near East have frank.
ly admitted that Allied forces there
are in no position at present to of.
fer effective resistance. They con.
tend that the British-French armies
in the Levant are strong enough tC
defend that region but are not yet
ready to embark on a major eXpe-