The Waikato Times MONDAY, JULY 29, 1940 HITLER AS PEACEMAKER

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21177, 29 July 1940, Page 6

The Waikato Times MONDAY, JULY 29, 1940 HITLER AS PEACEMAKER

As peacemaker in the Balkans, Hitler is appearing in a new role for which he is very poorly equipped. Nevertheless, peace in that region is essential to his schemes, and so he is entering upon the task with the help of Mussolini, who is equally unfitted for the work. If it were to cause a war, though. . . . Rumanian, Hungarian and Bulgarian delegates are flitting backwards and forwards between their own capitals and Berchtesgaden and Rome. Hungary wants a slice of Rumanian territory, Bulgaria wants her share too, Rumania says she will fight if necessary to protect her national interests, and Russia is waiting quietly to swallow them all if given the slightest opportunity. Clearly the position is full of danger for Germany and Italy, and peace must be preserved at all costs. Hence the “friendly” conferences at Berchtesgaden and those to follow at Rome. Russia appears to be in the best position to solve the whole problem by simply extending the methods applied to Bessarabia. Rumania would probably capitulate as before, and Bulgaria and Hungary would not be regarded by Stalin as serious opposition. But that is where the danger for Germany and Italy begins. It cannot be imagined that Germany at least would be content to allow Russia a free hand to dispose of the Balkan States as she wishes. But if the Balkans themselves will not behave, what then ? It is singularly unfortunate for Germany that this trouble should have arisen in the south-east just when Hitler wanted to give his undivided attention to Britain. So he must attempt to patch up some kind of peace at the earliest possible moment. Between them Hitler and Mussolini may gain a temporary respite, but it would be interesting to know how Stalin regards their discomfiture.

The obvious course for Germany and Italy is to persuade Bulgaria and Hungary to postpone their territorial claims against Rumania until a more convenient time. That they have attempted to do, and at one stage it seemed they had succeeded, for it was reported that the claims would be dropped in the meantime. But the Hungarians and Bulgarians know that the iron is hot, and they fear that if they do not gain the concessions they seek now their only opportunity will have been lost. Russia succeeded without difficulty; why should not they ? Rumania declares that she will fight rather than yield, however, and the situation is ripe for serious trouble. One of the possibilities is that one or other of the Balkan States will invoke the aid of Russia, either for protection or to force acceptance of the demands. In either case the situation will be dangerous l'or Germany and Italy. It is noteworthy that although they claim an alliance with Russia (at least Germany does), neither Germany nor Italy has attempted to seek the aid of the Soviet in straightening out the tangle. If their interests were common, Germany and Italy could well invite Russia to quell the Balkan disturbance while they addressed themselves to the sterner tasks in the west. They are painfully conscious, of course, that even without an invitation Russia is already towering ominously over the Balkans and must be kept out at all costs, at least until Germany and Italy are freed from their full-time preoccupation in the west.