Evening star., 1941-03-28
Ey the AsSoclaJeu PftSs'
BFGRADE, YugOSlaVia, March

By the Associated Press.
BELGRADE, YugOSlavia, Marcn
es.-A defiant Yugoslavia, led by
17-year-old King Peter II, re-
fused today to ratify the three
dav-old axis pact and received
the United States promise OF full
aid if she is forced to resist Ger
man and italian Armies.
United States Minister arthur
bliss Lane delivered a note to the
government which said that uhoer
the terms of the Lease-Lend AcV
every possible assistance would De
given to Yugoslavia "aS TO all otner
nations seeking to maintain ther
independence and integrity to repel
aggression"
Other rapid-fire Developments to-
day included;
!. The Turkish Minister conferred
for long time with Premier Gen.
Dusan Simovich, and was reported
bv diplomatic quarters to have pro-
rosed a mutual assistance pact with
Yueoslavia. The Turkish press has
been limiting at such development
for several weeks.
2. German journalists, economic
experts and trade delegates began
an exodus from the country. Ger
man sources said nearly 5000 had
started to the frontier or were pack
ing UP, in the hope Of getting out OF
the country.
3. Young King Peter formally took
over the royal power in a ceremony
at the Serb Orthodox cathedral at
which he kissed the cross.
Decides on Return to Neutrality.
The United States note was de-
livered to Yugoslavia's hardy soldier
Premier, Gen. Dusan Simovich, who
was pumped into leadership in yes
terday's coup d'etat, just a short
time after Yugoslavia informed
Germany that the axis pact would
be neither denounced nor ratlfled.
. Germany protested today to
the Yugoslav government con-
cerning yesterdays events in
Belgrade, in which German
citizens were said to have been
attacked. 1t appeared plain to
observers in Berlin that Premier
Gen. Simovich's declaration on
behalf of the new government did
not satisfy Germany
High diplomatic sources said
Yugoslavia had informed Germany
that fulfllment of the terms OF the
pact, signed in Vienna Tuesday by
the government which was ousted
yesterday, would be impossible, be-
cause it would be contrary to the
will of the Yugoslav people"
: The cabinet was said to have de-
cided at an all-night session to re-
turn to full and absolute neutral
ity," applying alike to Greece and
: Britain, as well as the axis.
The United States note was de-
.liyered as 100000 YugoSlav soldiers
stood fully modified to resist Ger
man and Italian armies should they
attempt to hold Yugoslavia to the
terms of the pact.
Prime Minister Churchill implied
full British support for an anti-axis
Yugoslavia when he declared yes
terday that Britain would make
common cause" with the new gov
ernment.
. Trucks Rumble Through Streets.
Flags still were flying in the capl-
tai. Trucks filled with soldiers still
were rumbling through the streets
toward the frontiers.
United States Minister Lane told
Premier Simovich and Foreign Min
lister Monticello Nincich he was au-
thorized on behalf of President
Roosevelt to inform the government
that news of the Yugoslav stroke
had caused "an immediate and pop
ular reaction in America" and that
the event constitutes matter for
self-congratulation for every liberty
loving man and woman"
While Yugoslavia awaited the re-
action of Adolf Hitler, clamorous
demonstrations occurred in the Bel
grade Cathedral in the presence of
the young King at the swearing in
of the new government by the Serb
Orthodox patriarch.
4 When the automobiles of the
United States and British Ministers
Gee VTTCOCT AUTA Dooo Adl