Manawatu Evening Standard. WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1940. THE BALKAN STATES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 141, 15 May 1940, Page 6

Manawatu Evening Standard. WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 1940. THE BALKAN STATES.

Though tlie German offensive against .tlie Allies through Holland and Belgium has for the time being distracted attention from the Balkans, it is not likely thai any one of . the capitals there will feel any greater security. Of late most alarming reports have come from this disturbed region, suggesting that . the Rome-Berlin Axis . is preparing a military coup. Berlin has gone so far as to say that the Allies are determined to spread the war to the Balkans, an allegation that has received support in Rome, and its inference is plain. Yet it may be the case that these little manoeuvres were designed to distract attention while Hitler sent his troops' northwards and westwards. Whatever the facts, however, anxiety in the Balkans is not likely to lessen. Rumania has undergone a quick political change, a Government of National IJnion. having been formed with M. Tatarescu still at the helm and Dr. Gafencu as boreign Minister. M. Tatarescu is not unfriendly to Britain and France, and while he is Prime Minister there will be no change in Rumania’s policy of military. preparedness and frontiers guarded. These Balkan States have found it most difficult to resist Germany’s insistent and continuous demands economically. It is a part of the “war of nerves” which Berlin has made famous, but so far the Balkan countries have proved impervious to reports meant to scare them, though, they must deal circumspectly with their neighbour who is mighty where they are weak in military powex. Rumania has been most careful to avoid an open quarrel with tin Reich, and at the same time frustrate Nazi designs, to secure a monopoly of her foreign trade. Particularly does she desire -to maintain hier economic independence.

Rumania’s difficulties in this matter are many. She is the recipient of most of Germany’s demands. Her oilfields are relatively near to Germany; she is more amenable to political and economic pressure than the Soviet is likely to be ; the Danube for most of the year provides an unrivalled waterway leading to the Austrian gates of the Reich, and she has valuable raw materials—wheat to feed the German people, maize for their livestock, edible fats for the . civil population, and vegetable oils-for many purposes. Yugoslavia and Bulgaria similarly are rich in products that the Nazis cher-ish—live-stock, cereals, and oil-seeds —and the former has valuable copper, zinc, and • lead industries whose output would be of immense benefit to Hitler were lie able to secure it to his

own satisfaction. The Reich has used the months since last September to strengthen an al'ready considerable economic position. Hitler himself has spoken of the Balkan peace he desires to see obtained through a general guarantee in which Russia and Italy would join. Such schemes are suspect even among those regarded as the promoters, for Germany and Italy are xivals for economic power in the Balkans and Italy would not relish German or Russian influence developing there 'to her own detriment. However much the pressure on the Balkan States is applied by Germany in future months, none will surrender its economic independence without a stern effort at resistance.