Evening star., 1932-04-06

over these small states by the financial
grip she will have over them. 1t IS
evident that neither Germany nor Italy
is in a position to assist materially in
the financing of the new confederation.
Great Britain is unlikely to do much
to assist those countries, while it is
highly doubtful whether any American
banking concern would be willing to
join in any proposition requiring send
Ing OF American capital to Central EII-
rope Consequently, while every coun-
try will be urged to subscribe to the
$50 100000 loan, the chances are that
France will have to cover that amount
practically alone. There is no doubt IN
the minds of the Italians and the Ger
mans that France is not going to in
vest such a substantial amount with
out expecting something more than
peace and harmony among the Central
Europeans
Suspicious Increased.
The suspicious of Italy and Germany
as to Frances Interior motives are fur
ther increased by the fact that Bulgaria,
a state which is as much Danubian as
Jugcslavia, Rumania or Hungary has
been completely left out of the scheme.
The reason why Bulgaria has not been
included in the confederation is alleged
to be that her inclusion would unduly
increase the number of the agricultural
states therein: the real reason is be-
neved to be that she would upset the
balance of power Under the present
scheme three of the five states are
members Of the Little Entente, favorable
to France. If Bulgaria were included
the number of states favorable to Italy
or Germany would balance the number
Of states friendly to France.
1t Is In this spirit that the London
meeting will begin tomorrow
The American observers at Geneva
are optimistic regarding the outcome of
these conversations and are convinced
the Danubian confederate ton will come
into existence before the end of the
year. A less optimistic mood prevails
among the Europeans. The italians
and the Germans admit that Austria
and Hungaria urgently need financial
support and that neither Italv nor Ger
many is able to give them such support
But. 1t is said, while Austria will yie1-'
to the slightest pressure it is doub-. 80
whether Hungary will not prefer finan-
cial bankruptcy to joining her political
anita agonists Hurgsry's affiliation with
litical provisions regarding her terri
torlal claims in Jugoslavia. Rumania
and Czechoslovakia will be interpreted
throughout that country that she has
sold herself for paltrv economic advan-
tages The Hungarians are more than
patriots; thev are chauvinistic race
and are known tn prefer all kinds of
herdshipS to the abandonment of their
claims to territories taken by force from
her sfter the World War IF the Hun
garians show spirit of real opposition
t. this scheme, it is more than proba BILE
thev win be aided by italy regardless
as to how she acts at tomorroW's meet
ing.
Czechs Strangely Independent.
It is also doubtful as to the ultimate
attitude of CZechoslovakia. That coun-
try is strangely independent. She owe.
her existence as a state to the Allies
she is a member of the Little Entente
and consequently politically tied tc
France. But in the last few years sh.
has enjoyed a period of solid prosperity
which hes mede her more independent
of her big ally than any of the othei
Central European countries.
Czechoslovakia is not likely to entel
blindly any confederation She mus
see clearly that such combine tior
will work fully to her advantage; thai
is to say that the Czechoslovak people
must see beyond any doubt that thel
have more to gain economically by
joining that confederation than b.
staying out of it. For the time beiue
the whole scheme is too nebulous fol
them to see clearly what her advantage.
of entering the Danubian confederation
will be.