Evening star., 1935-03-31
BY ALBIN e. JOHNSON,

II
better as Winter nears an
~ end, are getting distinctly
worse, politically, econom-
ically. socially and financially. To
describe the situation on the Conti-
nent-from the English Channel to
the Black Sea-in a single word
would be to characterize it as chaotic.
Not in three decades has the DO
litical situation been more muddled
The days Immediately preceding the
World War were bright and sunny
compared with the present moment.
Crises, such as precipitated the Strug-
gle In 1914, arise and are liquidated
almost every week nowadays. No
one can say, however, when one of
the situations may go off with a
terrific explosion rather than fizzle
out, as they have done ever since
the assassination of King Alexander
startled the world.
There are at least a dozen un-
liquidated "crises" in the European
picture at this writing, which may.
or may not, fame afresh before they
are permanently disposed of.
Yanka Putza Not Settled.
The Hungaro-Yugoslav quarrel over
Yanka Putza and the activities of the
Croat emigres has been taken off
the fire for the moment and set
aside to cool. But there is every
reason to believe the Hungarians are
unrepentant and that the Italians,
who in reality played a larger role
in the intriguing of Ante Pavelic and
his "Oustachi," have not settled their
differences with the petite entente.
The status quo-namely, the exist
ence Of strong Yugoslav state, facing
Italy on the Adriatic-remains the
same as it has been since the YER
sailles treaty. More pressing prob
lens have diverted attention in other
directions, but behind the scenes the
definite policies" Of Italy are not
being forgotten. The announcement
that Milan Radio and other Fascist
stations are shortly inaugurating tri-
weekly programs in the Bulgarian
language Is significant.
The Italo-AbysSinian incident Is
another straw which indicates the
way the wind is blowing. Foreseeing
France and Britain occupied with
Germany for the next few months,
and with the Austrian problem shelved
until the NaZis have had a breathing
spell, the italians are following ia
pans example in Africa. The Wal
Wal frontier dispute may be settled
arnicably, but Italy's major program
Is expansion in the Red Sea Littoral.
The stake in Somaliland and Eretria
Is far greater than few hundred
square miles of desert sand and a
few water holes. The nation which
dominates Abyssinia will command
the waters of Lake Tsana and the
sources Of the blue Nile. The blue
Nile will some day irrigate the Sudan
and the Sudan is the world potential
cotton producing region.
3. Balkans Rival Italy.
The Greek revolt dovetails in with
the general European jig-saw puzzle,
too, particularly in respect to Italys
realistic diplomacy. No one develop
ment of the past two years has SO
enraged Rome as the Balkan entente
the combination of Turkey, Greece
and Yugoslavia. The Balkan entente
as evidenced by their action after
the assassination Of King Alexander
meld with the petite entente-Czecho-
slovakia, Rumania and Yugoslavia.
The five countries all have COM
mon grievances against the FascistS
Turkey fears Italian expansion in
the Near East and has not forgotten
Rome's ambitions to annex Smyrna
and to get foothold in Adalia and
the Mersina district. Italy's occupa-
ton of the former Greek islands of
the Anatolian coast also irks the
Turks.
The Yugoslavs can never be con-
vinced that Italy, eventually, will not
seek to control both sides of the
Adriatic. or at least make it an italian
sea. The absorption of Albania
which has been going on quietly but
effectively for a decades the most
immediate menace.
In the recent revolt-led by Eleu-
therius VenizeloS, who at heart is
anti-Turk If not ro-Italian-had
ramifications in both Bulgaria and
Italy. Venizelos is opposed to the
Balkan Entente because of his bitter
hatred for the Turks. He is said to
have offered the Bulgarians territorial
readjustments ian outlet to the
Aegean via Dedeagatch or Saloniki)
in return for assistance. To the
Italians he is said to have promised
additional naval base facilities in the
Aegean.
The Turkish mobilization on the
Bulgar front, as a counter-threat
should the Bulgars become allied with
the Venizelists, is an evidence of the
Balkan pact's ramifications. Main
tenance of the territorial integrity oi
the nations subscribing to the treaty
is the most important provision.
Fight Hapsburg Control.
Czechoslovakia is silent partner
to the Petite Entente Balkan Group
combination. Her immediate political
interest lies in maintaining the inde-
pendence Of Austria and blocking
restoration Of the Hapsburg dynasty
and also in keeping Hungary isolated
loss, aggravated by Indian troubles
along the eastern half of the trail
Finally, in May. 1861, the entire busi-
ness between the Missouri River and