The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, MARCH 28, 1927. THE NEAR EAST TROUBLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, MARCH 28, 1927. THE NEAR EAST TROUBLE.

The trouble in the Balkans is a recurring one. Just at present something is happening, but the situation is far from clear. The amount of smoke, however suggests that there must be some fire. What is suggested by the recent cable messages is that the Yugoslavs are stirring up trouble, that they are preparing to invade Albania, and Italy will do its* duty by defending the Albanians against an unprovoked attack. This is disquieting news. But it must l>e noted that these portentous rumours emanate in place from Italy, and are based either on a supposed official communication from the Italian Government to Britain, or upon obviously inspired statements published in one of the lending Fascist organs at Rome. Put briefly, these Italian charges against the Yugoslavs amount to this—That the Serbians intend to establish themselves as supreme in the Balkans. Firstly, it is certain, considers an exchange, that no newspaper in Italy to-dav is in a position to express any opinion antagonistic to the policy of the Fascist Government. Further, the “Gioniale d’Ttalia” is notoriously and enthusiastically pro-Fas-cist. which is to say that its tone and attitude on questions of foreign policy are extremely aggressive and Imperialistic. Its views therefore are merely another version of the official utterance on public questions, and there are tno features on its comments on the present situation that are peculiarly suggestive. One is the fantastic and c He charge against the Freemasons as the source of the latest trouble in the Balkans; the other is the insinuation against France as the backer of Serbia and the instigator of Slav enmitagainst the Italians. Now no one >• the least familiar is likely to deny that these charges have been taken literal!’' from the mouth of Mussolini himself. It would he rash, to venture a decided opinion about this new Balkan crisis vet. But we cannot afford to forget that this is by no means the first time since the Groat War that the peace of Europe has been gravely endangered by Italian “chauvinism.” D’Annunzio’s

wild escapade at Finnic, the bombardment of Corfu, Mussolini s threats to Germany regarding the lyrol, and his offensive amt overhearing conduct towards France during tho past twelve months, are all perfectly in keeping with his declared intention to up'i

Italian Imperialism and to enlarge Italy’s prestige and power, if noon

sary by force of arms. In pursuance of the resolve to convert the Adriatic Sea into an “Italian lake,” the Italians have established a strong base at Avlona, to the south ot Albania, and a few months ago they concluded with Albania a treaty which in the opinion of many competent authorities puls Albania economically and politically at the mercy of Italy. Naturally the Yugoslavs resent this. After all that they' have suffered and sacrificed 1o gain their freedom they cannot he expected to stand idly by while a foreign and hostile Power is establishing itself on their borders. Remembering Finnic and Italy’s attempt to seize the whole Dalmatian coast after the war. ilie Serbs do well to be on their guard. But there is no proof whatever that they are taking, or that they contemplate, any hut defensive steps; and there is, ns we have seen, plenty of evidence to suggest that the real .source of this menace to the peace of Europe is to be found in the restless and illregulated ambitious of Mussolini himself.