The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-08-25
Washington Merry-Go-Round


In September, 1915, it was Bull
garia, Turkey, Austro-Hungary
which, one by one, made separate
peace with the Allies, leaving Ger
many, her back to the wall, fight
ing alone.
Since history may repeat, here
is a survey Of how U. S. experts
find conditions in the key occu-
pied countries:
Rumania-Most likely of all
countries to follow Italy and throw
off its pro-Nazi leaders. Dictator
Antonescu, seeing the handwriting
on the wall, has cooled off to
Hitler's demands, has gone SO far
as to inform the Allies through
neutrals that he has rebuffed Nazi
calls for new Rumanian troops,
that he would be open to Allied
overtures.
Bulgaria-Is close behind Ru-
mania in its anxiety to escape
Nazi clutches. The Bulgarian
underground, always strong, has
almost come out into the open
and is executing" more and more
pro-Nazi Bulgarians. King Boris
has turned down German requests
that Bulgarian troops be used on
the eastern front, warning that
Bulgarians would desert to the
Russians. Recently he is report
ed SO worried about internal con-
ditions that he has packed his
bags and is ready to flee at the
first sign of uprising.
Hungary-Premier Kallay has
ordered the return of all Hun
garian troops from the Russian
front, explaining to the Germans
that they are needed at home to
protect against an Allied invasion
of the Balkans. Actually, Hungary
is much more afraid of Russian
break-through in eastern Europe
and would prefer to do business
with the British and Americans.
Observation-Disclosures the Chef
niks and PatisanS still are row.
ing between themselves, there has
been a recent tendency to calm
this feud. The down fall of Mus
solini and the capture of Sicily
has increased the prestige of anti
Axis forces and caused both the
Serbs and Croats to jump on the
Allied bandWagon. Italian troops
in Jugoslavia would desert whole
sale If they were not afraid of
being massacred by the people
they tried to rule.
Naturalization rule in Albania
is at the point of collapse, with
guerrilla bands operating freely.
Greece-Open rebellion among
the Greeks is being put down by
the Germans ruthlessly. They
are ouSting the Italians from
Greece and are feverishly
strengthening the Greek Isles
against Allied invasion. There is
a well-organized guerrilla move
ment in Greece, especially oper-
ating against troop trains at
night. Neutral travellers will not
ride German troop trains if they
can help it.
PASSIVE CENTRAL EUROPE
CzechOslovakia-The Czech I'M
foreground has been pretty well
broken up by brutal reprisals and
by shipping male Czechs to Ger
many to work. The CZechs are
in a position to do very little
against the Axis.
POland-PoIand and occupied
Russia are the testing ground for
the worst inventions of the &C.
stapo. There is a pro-Commun-
list backgrounds, but not much
can be expected in Poland until
after the NaZis are in actual
rout.
Australia-The Austrians are
gaining hope and are now more
openly anti-NaZi. However, there
still does not seem to be any or
ganized plan of resistance.
Denmark-This is the Nazi
showcase. The Danes are treat
ed better than any other con-
quered peoples. But even so they
are contemptuous of the Nazis.
NOrway-Because of the con-
tinued resistance of Norwegians OF
all ranks, that country is suffer-
ing more than any other except
Greece. German troops In Nor
way, aware of the hatred levcied
against them, are said to be the
most dissatisfied of all German
troops. Quislings' dwindling sup.
porters are mainly thugs and ex-
convicts. German corruption has
become SO bad in Norway that 1t
has led to disputes between the
German civil and military COM
manders.