The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-21
ing Peace May Be Fruit of Rapallo Conference

JlllNl NllAN
Rumanians are frankly friendly to the Ital-
ians while they have still an outstanding
dispute with the Jugo-Slavs over the Banat.
Moreover. the recent decision in the Klagen-
furt plebiscite, where the vote went against
the Slavs. has accentuated the bitterness
between the Austrian Germans and their old
Slavic subjects.
The crying need of the Jugo-Slavs as of
all of the new States which have emerged
from the world war, is for peace and the OPP
portunity to organize. Given these two
blessings, Jugo- Slavia will one day be a
strong State, capable Of resisting all attack,
possessing population larger than that of
Italy at the hour when Italian unity was
accomplished. Her domestic difficulties are
very great, they may yet lead to actual
instructions, but outside stimulation
is eliminated there is good reason to believe
that the present unition may be preserved.
The curse of the Balkans for more than
century, ever since the Congress of Vienna,
has been the manipulation of the small
Powers by the large Bulgarian has been
thrown against Serb, Serb against Bugar,
by Austrian and Russian intrigue. Rumania
has been mutilated by Russia and managed
by Germany. Chaos has been perpetuated
by great nations who hoped ultimately to
acquire the lands which of right belonged
to the Balkan peoples themselves. The
world war has abolished most Of this situa-
ton. Rumana, Jugo-Savia and Greece have
emerged considerable States, Bulgaria's Aus
trian master has disappeared, her German
hacker has been deprived of power and of
influence.
In sum, the hour has arrived when the
Balkan States are, in the MAN, freed from
the baleful influence of the great Powers
Save for Italy, no great Power has been con-
cerned since the Paris Conference in ma
nipulating Balkan States against each other.
Italy has been concerned chiefly because of
the Jugo-Slav claims the Adriatic. She
has still certain disagreements with Greece,
but these too approach a settlement. And
the best thing about the Rapallo settlement
is to be found in the fact that it removes the
last considerable obstacle to Balkan fedora
ton. at the precise moment when this feder-
alton, expanded to Central Europe, is becom-
ing fact.
JoneScu Now Writing an Alliance
Between Poland and Run1ania
An alliance between Rumania and Poland
for mutual protection against Russia is at
this moment being negotiated at Warsaw by
Take Jonescu. An alliance between Ru-
mania, Jugo- Slavia and Czecho-Slovakia
against Hungary already exists under the
name of the Little Entente. An alliance of
Bulgaria is in the process of formation one
interesting detail of which is the probable
marriage of the Prince Regent of Jugo-
Slavia to Princess Marie of Rumana All
of these agreements purely defensive
and have for their purpose preserving the
existing frontiers of the States concerned.
An extension of the system to an alliance
between Czecho-Slovakia and Poland to face
the probable German aggression against
both is logical. 1t Is only postponed by the
present bad feeling between Poles and Czechs
incident to the Teschen question, summarily
settled by the Ambassadors of the great
Powers, but still cause for bitterness.
Leaving Bulgaria and Hungary
Outside the Combination.
That out of this system of alliance there
might develop a combination of these States
for mutual protection against all outside
aggression Is not only likely but the adj
hesion Of Austria, menaced by the Hun
garians, is not beyond possibility. This
would leave Bulgaria and Hungary outside
but Bulgaria has already sought admission
to the League of Nations and given clear
evidence of observing the terms imposed
upon her by recent defeat, nor is any other
course left to her. One may exaggerate the
present possibilities OF this association of
central and eastern European Powers but
one cannot mistake the logic of such an
association nor the earneStness with which
the policy Is being pursued by many of the
component States. And it is plain that the
Rapallo agreement contributes to such an
end.
Finally, the settlement should help to re-
store friendly relations between France and
Italy, the more since it follows naturally the
conference between Milerand and Giolitti at
Aix-les-B ains, which prepared the way for t.
Two factors explain the French attitude In
recent months. At Paris Clemenceau sac
rificed everything to obtain the Wilson guar
antee for France against new German
aggression, and not the least of the sacrifices
was Franco-Italian friendship. Italy asked
France to stand with her on the Adriatic
and in return promised to support France on
the Rhine. Clemenceau chose to make his
bargain with Britain and the United states.
that is. with Lloyd George and Wilson, and
the result has, on the whole been unfor-
tunate for France.
frances Friendly Policy to Poland
Aimed Against Recovered Germany.
In the second place, France is vitality con-
cerned in building up in Central Europe a
barrier to German expansion to the south
In such barrier the Jugo-Slav fraction is
of utmost Importance. Seeking to establish
the balance of power i'm Europe against
hostile GERMANY and resfored Rueeie