Rome, Mar. 2.
Italian forces have recaptured the island of Casteloritza (Castelrossoy Surrender Hailed' as "Decisive Diplomatic" Success For Axis; Greece "Warned" to Accept Reich Aid Tokyo, Mar. 2, As the Japanese press this morning gave pı ce to reports of Bul-gona's adherence to the three-Power Berlin Alliance, the Tokyo "Nichi-Nichi" and "Yomiuri" newspapers stressed that the Axis Powers had scored a "decisive diplomatic victory." The "Nichi-Nichi" asserted that with Bulgaria's Participation in the Alliance, 's spring offensive against Great Britain had been given "important" impetus, while the "Yomiuri" openly predicted that it will be only a matter of time before Brigi indenees will be swept from the Balkans complete!
Eas that Bulgaria's latest step the Axis Powers, "Nichi-Nichi" warned Greece that if she continued her anti-Axis instigated by ' Britain, she id "without doubt go the way of and Belgium,"
he paper declared, "It is fortunate" for Greece that she was maintaining with Germany as she could take the opportunity of having Germany mediate in the Italo-Greek conflict, The paper pointed out that Greece now was practically surrounded by Axis Powers.
Britain's efforts through the visit of the British Foreign Minister, Major R, Anthony Eden, to Ankara, to have Turkey declare war against the Axis, and to augment further British influence in Greece, through Turkey, had ended in "complete failure," the paper declared.
Soviet Russia and Turkey, the "Nichi-Nichi" asserted, would maintain friendly neutrality toward the Axis Powers, It was added by the journal that it was only a matter of time when Yugoslavia, which has been maintaining a "sitting on the fence" attitude, would decide on a definite course, The "Yomiuri," meanwhile, declared that the Axis Powers' first diplomatic victory in the Balkans occurred when Bulgaria and Turkey made nonaggression declarations, and with Bulgaria's entry into the tripartite pact, it gave Germany a "decisive diplomatic victory. "—Domei, 10 miles off the Turkish coast, from the British, an official communique claimed yesterday.
"On February 25, British expeditionary corps captured the islet of Castelrosso in the Aegean sea, which was garrisoned by some Italian soldiers and sailors, but yesterday (Fri~ day) a number of Italian torpedo boats, supported by aviation, landed and recaptured the islet, taking the British prisoners," the communique declared.
An official announcement in London on Friday said that Britis Torces had evacuated the island "after having accomplished their objective."—United Press.
R.A.F. Pilot Downs Three Italians Csiro, Mar. 2.
A fighter pilot of the Royal Air Force flying over the Tepelini area in Albania sighted five Italian fighters, He immediately engaged tne enemy and shot down three. the other two breaking off the combat.
This incident is reported in today's Royal Air Force Middle East headquarters communique which states that bomber and fighter aircraft were again busy yesterday in suvvort of Greek army operation in Albania.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.