GERMAN ORDERS ACCEPTED

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21189, 12 August 1940, Page 6

GERMAN ORDERS ACCEPTED

After wavering between demands for independence and fear of the consequences, Rumania has apparently capitulated to the German demands that the territorial claims of Hungary and Bulgaria must be met and settled. Thus Rumania has been forced to accept in principle at least a return to something like the territorial boundaries that existed before the Great War. The rotund and rich country stratagetically consolidated will again become the shrunken and exposed territory of a sullen and disappointed people—if the puzzle of minorities and transfers can be solved.

Bessarabia and Bukovina have already gone to Russia. Dobrudja must now be handed over to Bulgaria and Transylvania to Hungary. The impression cannot be escaped that it is all a temporary arrangement by Germany for one purpose—to preserve peace in the Balkans while Germany has her hands full elsewhere. Eventually Germany intends that there shall be no other will than Hitler’s in Rumania or in any other part of the Balkans, but in the meantime Hitler is desperately in need of peace in south-eastern Europe while he struggles with his chief enemy in the west. And by his strategy Hitler will be earning the gratitude of Bulgaria and Hungary, which but for his good offices might never have regained the territory which they lost in the Great War. Although he might incur the undying enmity of the Rumanians, Hitler might consider that the balance rests with him. Still Russia remains a silent spectator of the drama. Is Stalin satisfied with the seizure of Bessarabia ? He was willing to share Poland with Hitler; perhaps he will consider Russia has sufficiently safeguarded her interests by taking only a minor share of Rumania. Indeed, although Hitler has shown his authority by ordering a settlement, he has not tempted Russia by himself annexing any part of Rumanian territory to Germany—at least not yet. Hitler has merely ordered that a settlement be made and has left the difficulty and the tragedy of the transfer of territories and minorities for Rumania and her neighbours to solve. Those who know the Balkans will conclude that the fear of Germany is very real indeed if the tangle is straightened out without bloodshed and bitterness among the various Balkan interests.