Novosti News Service – Durrës – Wednesday, 3 April 1940
His Majesty King Aleksandr visited the city today to formally open the Royal Oceanographic Institute, an establishment dedicated to the exploration of the sea. The institute will occupy the quarters of the former Royal Summer Villa. The choice of Durrës as the location for the institute affirms the Crown’s commitment to development of the southern portion of the nation, and follows the announcement of the Government’s plans for reconstruction and expansion of the port.
His Majesty also commissioned the oceanographic research and sail training ship Pelikan , an expression of friendship and gift of His Majesty Tsar Boris of Bulgaria. The Pelikan , a steel barque with auxiliary motor, will be a mobile extension of the Royal Oceanographic Institute, and her permanent crew will be engaged in research tasks and explorations in the far corners of the world. It is reported that the Pelikan will be fitted with high-powered wireless equipment enabling her to report directly to her home station in Durrës, and she will regularly carry a film crew to document the research efforts of her crew. The Pelikan will also represent the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in international sailing competitions, and will from time to time carry groups of cadets to learn the rigours of the sea. She will be entered in this year’s Tall Ships Race and, carrying a cadet contingent including His Highness Crown Prince Petar, it is hoped that she will uphold the national honour this year and in the future.
Novosti News Service – Uzice – Saturday, 6 April 1940
During a campaign stop here Prime Minister Karasec announced that the Government would proceed with the Drina Hydroelectric Project, which promises to bring hundreds if not thousands of jobs to this region and spur continued economic development through electricity production. The announcement was very well received by the crowds gathered, buoying Mister Karasec’s hopes for a reaffirmation of his electoral mandate. Opinion polls suggest that Mister Karasec’s National Democratic Party will maintain its parliamentary majority.