Evening star., 1941-03-28
Nazi Troops Reported
Rushed 10 Rumanian
And Austrian Posts
Gurrisons Strengthened
After YueosIovs Upset
Plons, Diplomats Hear
BY BLAIR BOLLES.

Nazi troops are being moved
soutfward from Germany proper to
reinforce depleted Austrian garri-
sons and are being ferried by plane
to Rumania in preparation to cope
with Yugoslavian developments, ac-
cording to advices reaching diplo-
mats here today.
The German plan is said to call
for three point thrust at Yugo-
slavia from Bulgaria, from Austria,
and from Rumania. but Germany at
the moment lacks the needed num-
bers of troops in the proper places
to carry out such a triple campaign.
The new Yugoslav government
Of King Peter II and Gen. Simovich
Is said to be confident that Germany
will be unable to strike quickly at
Yugoslav territory. The Yugoslav
force now outnumbers the German
troops available in Bulgaria, Ru-
mania and Austria.
Yugoslavia Is reported satisfied
that Germany will have to move
slowly to gain time for massing
troops at critical points and for
revision of the Nazl plan for military
action in the Balkans.
Military Program Upset.
The Yugoslavian reputation of
the axis agreement and show of in
tentlon to fight if necessary has upset
completely the German military pro-
gram laid down as long ago as last
autumn for a campaign aimed at
German-Italian control first of the
Balkan Peninsula and then of the
Eastern Mediterranean.
Only about five divisions are said
to remain in Austrian garrisons, and
only two-except for the troops
posted along the Rumanian frontier
in Rumania.
The Yugoslavian plan for military
action emphasizes campaigning in
Serbia, with the ancient mountain
city Of Mis- as headquarters. The
Yugoslavians consider the northern
reaches of their country, a great
green plain, contiguous to Austria
and Hungary, as indefensible
against mechanized troops as was
Poland.
Cr0ats an Internal Problem,
Yugoslavia still has an internal
problem hinging on the attitude of
Vladimir Machek, the Croatian in
the Simovich cabinet. The govern
ment is represented as eager, even
anxious, to keep Machek a part of
1t, in order to bolster the morale of
Croatian troops in the Yugoslav
Army in case military showdown
with Germany should come.
Croatia lies In Northern Yugo-
slavia, in what, Is held the inde-
fensible area.
Repercussions of the Yugoslav de-
velopment are being heard all over
Europe, 1t Is understood here.
Czecho-Slovakians. according to
Well-founded reports. were advised
yesterday by their leaders to re-
strain themselves from any demon
strations against their German mas
ters until the Yugoslavian-Ge German
situation is clear. ....".t. -. -.--
Some Prospect of Czech Revolt.
1t is said that Czech leaders see a
prospect for rising against Ger
many If it is correctly timed. Three
hundred thousand German soldiers
repeatedly occupy the German held
Czecho-Slovakian provinces of Bo-
hernia and Moravia. Another 800
900 control the subject peoples in
German-held Poland, according to
the newest report reaching here.
Hungary is represented as hoping
the fact that it has treaties both
with the axis and with Yugoslavia
will enable her to preserve her nom
belligerency.
The need for German troops in
the critical areas surrounding Yugo-
slavia cannot be satisfied by draw
ing them from Czecho- -Slovakia and
Poland, according to experts here in
constant touch with Europe. The
soldiers are needed to preserve order
in those occupied countries.