Bulgaria and Germany
King Boris is said to have been a reluctant guest when summoned by Hitler to discuss the position of Bulgaria. He has had ample evidence of the growing unrest in his country, where even those who have been pro-German in their sympathies are influenced by the obvious turn in the tide of the war and the growing fear that once again Bulgaria may be backing the wrong horse, and antiGerman elements have resorted to many acts of violence. Therefore the last thing the King desires to undertake at this moment is more commitments to Germany. But Hitler needs Bulgaria. It is evident that the Nazis are apprehensive about possible Allied attacks in the Balkans, in which event the part to be played by Bulgaria would be of the first importance to them. Though Hitler would not expect her to send troops to Russia, he might call upon the King to assist further in garrisoning Yugoslavia and to assume defensive duties in Macedonia. Bulgaria has long been nervous about the possibility of an attack from Turkey, and could be counted upon to defend herself vigorously in that quarter. But those fears have been allayed by M. Sarajoglu's statements. What King Boris may have promised under duress is matte of conjecture only, but public opinion in Bulgaria is certainly against giving active assistance to Hitler's attempts to mobilise the satellite Powers and nonbelligerents for the "defence of Europe."
