A Critical Hour for Bulgaria
The arrival at Sofia of Colonel Donovan, the trusted repre- sentative of President Roosevelt, is most timely, for the aititude of Bulgaria is now the critical point for Hitler's policy in the Near East. The question is whether Bulgaria deems herself capable of standing out against Hitler's. demands, and King Boris has to ask himself what sort of support he can count upon if he continues to stand firm. Germany has already massed a considerable force on Rumanian soil. The disorders in Bucharest following the assassination of a German staff officer on Sunday, and the attempted coup detat on the part of a section of the Iron Guard, have compelled the Nazis to detach some of _their troops on the Danube to restore order; but that is likely to be only a temporary embarrassment. Hitler seeks permission to march through Bulgaria into Greece. He would like to go through without having to fight the Bulgarians, and put the Turks in the position of aggressors if they entered Bulgaria to resist- him. King Boris with great courage takes his stand on neutrality, and the determination to defend it. In that he is fortified by the resolute attitude of Turkey, and perhaps the promise of at least passive support from Russia. Now comes Colonel Donovan, luny primed with information about the position in Athens, and able to explain with detach- ment the military strength of Great Britain and America's resolve to assist both Britain and those who stand with her: His arrival in Sofia is a reinforcement of wise judgement and long views, and should help King Boris to avoid the mistake which his country made in the last war.
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