Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1928-08-09
CONTROL OF CENTRAL EUROPE

CONTROL OF CENTRAL EUROPE
There is no more interesting portion
of the world for the student Of diplo-
matte complications than central Eu-
rope 1t comes wildly into the lime
| light again as the great powers en-
gage once more in struggle for con-
troll. 1t should not, however, be sup
posed that the smaller Danubian
states are unable to take care of them
selves. Provided they stick together,
they can resist the hegemony of Ger
many, France or Italy. Nor must it
be supposed that there is any serious
likelihood of mishaps. 1t is rather
from the point of view of an interest
ing game that the checkerboard of
mid Europe should be regarded.
Immediately after the war the Lit
tie Entente came virtually into ex-
istence, though it was later that some
of the formal accOrds were signed.
The Little Entente consists of CzechO-
slovakia, Roumania and JugOslavia.
They felt it was necessary to unite
against possible encroachments on
lost much land under the peace trea-
ties. They had also one eye on Bull
garia, though Bulgaria seems fairly
harmless. Also, they perceived the
possible menace of Russia. More or
less loosely connected with them is
Poland. In it's inception the Little
Entente looked to France as it's spe-
al er;a hn
From time to time it is freely stated
that the Little Entente is falling
asunder. 1t is difficult to hold an
association of nations together by a
merely negative idea. When the en-
tente is harassed by the threat of a
revision of the treaties, it appears to
weld itself solidly. When it forgets
its apprehension, it seeks more posi-
tive policy-or rather, each member
of the entente is tempted to pursue a
separate policy.
Thus Roumania has points of policy
in common with Italy, and therefore
is drawn into the Italian orbit. Ital-
ian diplomacy has shown itself ex-
ceptionally able and has acquired
fresh prestige. Yet when ROumania
moves toward Italy, various implica-
tions become apparent even to the
most casual observer of Europe. Italy
has openly championed Hungary, and
Hungarian claims are directed against
Czechoslovakia and other Danubian
nations. Moreover, Italy has not been
on the best of terms with Jugoslavia,
which is jealous of Italian control of
Albania, the little country which
stands on the Jugoslavian side of the
Adriatic. 1t isl obvious, therefore,
that there must be some weakening
of the ties which bind Roumania to
the Little Entente. ..'J ~E~
Again, Germany is becoming strong
er and can offer inducements to
Czechoslovakia to range itself on the
side of its powerful neighbor. Here
is a disintegrating influence which
causes certain politicians to shake
their heads sadly and talk of Ger
Europe. Any union based upon Ger
many in this part of the world would
undoubtedly cause misgivings. Hence.
the Filtration" of Czechoslovakia has
found stern critics in France.
Yet France cannot expect to have
matters all it's own way forever, and
there would seem to be no harm in a
division of control-if control it be
in central Europe. If one great power
predominated, the control would be
effective, and the smaller countries
would be it's slaves or, shall we say,
satellites? The Little Entente is too
wise to fall into such position. 1t
prefers to have friendly relations with
Germany as we'll as France, and with
Italy as we'll as Germany. Naturally,
as Little Entente, it cannot be so in
dissoluble in these circumstances, yet
it has once more affirmed that it in
tends, despite various individual rap
prochements, to remain faithful to it's
original purpose 1t is not, however.
willing to become the prisoner of that
purpose.
1t will be seen at a glance that the
control of one power is disappearing
and that surely is well. The Little
Entente is neither French nor Ger
man, nor is it Italian. The sooner
the notion of hegemony is forgotten,
the better it will be. There may be
some regrets in French diplomatic
circles, but France is sensible enough,
and good-natured enough, to realize
that the transitory conditions which
followed the war cannot endure for
ever. and that Danubian Europe is not
the happy hunting ground Of any par
ticular nation.-Christian Science
Monitor.
REpTITA THR0TIGH