SiebenbuÌˆrgisch-Amerikanisches Volksblatt. [volume] (Cleveland, Ohio) 1917-1971, 1941-04-17

tors IN Belgrade has answered
this historically unique chance
offered to a state which owed it's
existence exclusively to the Ver-
sailles system and to it's disregard
Of the rights OF selfdetermination
of nations in a manner which
must be characterized as not only
foolish but criminal. For the Yu-
goslavian ministers who in pos
session of full powers placed their
signature beneath a treaty which
was to guarantee their state per-
manent security and the Yugo-
slavian people happy future
we're arrested on the day of their
return to Belgrade. The guilt for
this attaches to clique OF con-
spirators who by so doing have
assumed the burden of a great
responsibility. They are the
same notorious conspirators who
always stirred up trouble in the
Balkans. They did not hesitate
even to assassinate kings and in
1911 unleashed the great war by
the Serajevo murder thus start
ing the toll of indescribable suff-
ering which humanity has been
called upon to pay.
When this clique of conspira-
tors assumed power. Belgrade
finally let the mask fall. a few
days ago an unheard of wave OF
terrorism directed against all per
sons belonging to the axis pow
ers and their allied states sudden
ly swept through the whole Of
Yugoslavia. The Fuhrer was, re-
viled. the German minister was
publicly insulted. The Italian mi
mister was openly threatened
with war by General Simovich.
IN officer attached to the German
Legation was insulted and NAL
treated. German institutions were
destroyed or plundered and dur
ing the last few days the ruthless
terrorization of everything Ger
man has reached an extent which
recalls the worst period of the
persecution OF Germans in Po.
land.
The true trend of Yugoslavian
foreign policy now becomes ap-
parent. When today those .....
in Belgrade represent the invita-
ton to Yugoslavia to join the
three power pact that is to say
the appeal to loyal collaboration
within the European family Of
nations as an act offending Yugo-
slavian honor. this reveals the true
attitude OF those exercising deci-
sive influence in that country to-
day, who do not desire appease-
, ment but who believe that they
Ian pursue their selfish aims only
ny the maintenance OF unrest and
discord. The action undertaken
by the present rulers is therefore
perfectly clear in its significance
|. The mobilization Of the en-.
tire iugoslavian army was ord
cred.
?. British staff officers have ar.
rived in Belgrade during the las,
Few days to act as liaison officers
TO the Yugoslavian army.
3. Liaison was established BY
the dispatch of Yugoslavian staff
officers to Greece with the British
forces operating in that country
nd with the Greek army.
| I. The German government has
ru:'ng the last few days come
VITO possession of irrefutablt
roof that the Yugoslaviar
government in the person of Ge
neral Simovich has turned to Bri
tain and America with the objec'
of obtaining the support of troop:
arms and credits in the coming
struggle against Germany.
Yugoslavia has thus finally de-
cided to make common cause with
Germanys enemies and to plac.
her army at Britains disposal ane
to allow her country to be turned
into a base for attack on Ger
many. When the present king
who was known to be dominated