BALKAN PROBLEMS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 December 1939, Page 7

BALKAN PROBLEMS

It is unlikely that the Soviet will help Hungary 'to obtain Transylvania as the price of the surrender of the recent Carpathian gains, which Hungary is incapable of defending, but a Russian Bukovina with Burgaria tied to Russia through the gift of the province of Dobruja will finally wreck Germany’s Balkan ambitions. I Such a partition of Rumania would open the way to Russia’s extension to the Mediterranean through Bulgaria and Yugoslavia. The possibility of Italian and Turkish resistance, and the more remote chance of a Russian-Ger-man breach doubtless is the reason why the programme has not been proclaimed. but the Comintern journal tested the atmosphere. The Rome correspondent of the “New York Times.’’ stressing the tendency toward Balkan unity in the face of the Russian threat, interprets the Fascist Grand Councils’ reaffirmation of the axis as offering Germany an ally against Russia in the Balkans if one is wanted, but he believes Italy might not declare war on Russia if Rumania were attacked, adding that there are other ways of waging war. The Budapest correspondent of the “New York Times’’ says it is authoritatively stated that Hungary will oppose militarily a German attempt to cross Hungary southward and eastward. The correspondent is convinced that the Italians would be permitted to cross Yugoslavia to assist Hungary. Direct German action is possible if Russia becomes rampant in the Balkans. If Russia entered Rumania it is believed a German force would go to Rumania through Russian Poland. Hungary would welcome a pact between Italy and Yugoslavia, but fears it would tend to isolate Rumania and tempt Bulgaria to move against the Dobruja. Hungary hopes an Allied victory will leave a strong Germany to balance Russia in Central Europe or that both Russia and Germany will be crushed to avoid an uneven balance. Hungary fears an eventual dynamism seeking to unite all the Slavs in central and eastern Europe, leaving small Magyar and Rumanian islands.

ALARM IN GERMANY. Mr Tolischus, the Berlin correspondent of the “New York Times,” says the prospect of further Russian aggression in Scandinavia is causing Germany to shudder at the speed and thoroughness of her partner in learning the imperialistic game and the consequences of it to Germany. Even the most cold-blooded Real Politiker is beginning to look askance at the Russian expansion, because, first she has taken the political and diplomatic initiative from Germany as the Maginot Line and the British Fleet have taken the military initiative. Secondly, it increases the strain on Russian industrial, transport and raw material resources, reducing Germany’s chances of getting Russian supplies. Thirdly, the Russian-Finnish war threatens to convert the whole Baltic into a war theatre, imperilling supplies of Swedish ore. Fourthly, the further Russian influence expands the more Russia controls Germany’s landrouted trade, as Britain controls her sea-routed trade. The Copenhagen correspondent of the “New York Times" says Sweden is nearer war that at any time since 1914. when the Russians were ready to attack Stockholm. It is significant that neither Sweden nor Norway has joined Denmark’s neutrality declaration. but help for Finland is likely to be confined to financial aim. arms and volunteers. Germanys’ attitude is an unfathomable riddle. Swedish naval and military authorities are disappointed and resentful and the traditional friendship toward the Reichwehr is turning ice cold.