KEEN WATCHERS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 188, 6 May 1940, Page 10

KEEN WATCHERS

Position Of The Balkan Countries LONDON, Muy 3. The Bulkau countries arc the keenest watchers in the Mediterranean and south-eastern Europe. The anxiety felt lately in Yugoslavia and other countries‘does not seem more acute. Still, there are rumours and reports which are not calculated to inspire them with confidence, though the strengthening of the Allied fleet has impressed newspapers, specially in Rumania, but precautions continue. Apart from outside factors, the Balkan countries themselves.have recently shown some signs of increased cooperation, notably about policing the Danube, where German designs have been firmly withstood. This increasing cohesion is welcome in Loudon, where Mr. Chamberlain’s words on the Balkans are recalled

“to preserve peace and promote security"—and behind those words lies a stern determination on the part of the British Government. It is felt in London that an act of aggression against any one of the Balkan States would mean a wide extension of the war. As one statement puts it: “There is a small chance of any private war apart from the main conflict between the Allies and Germany.” The British Ambassador to Turkey arrived in Sofia for a short stay. Another visitor to Sofia is Dr. Clodius, the head of the German economic delegation. It was officially stated that Dr. Clodius was in Bulgaria for private reasons only. Today lie was received by King Boris and had talks with the Bulgarian Ministers of Finance and Trade,