Evening star., 1936-12-13
ABDICATION MAY STRIKE
INFLUENCE OF BRITAIN
Retiring King Did Much to Further
Empires Interests in Southeast
and Central Europe.

hours.
As consequence Austria and Hun.
gary, both Of which have been plan.
ming the restoration to the throne Of
the Hapsburg family, have been forced
to seek close political alliance with
Mussolini. Thus we find Central
Europe lined up with Italy, whereas
Yugoslavia, the arch-enemy of Mus
solini's imperialistic ideas, Is sup
ported by England, whose interests
are, naturally, to keep these nations
divided and weak in order to MAIN
tain supremacy in the Mediterranean
Sea, the way to the Far East.
This situation throws the nations
of Southeast Europe into a very Pc
culiar lineup With France the
only republic with Leftist government,
isolated in the West, the dictators Of
Germany and Italy have successfully
driven wedge into the ring of steel
which France had created In the post
war period through her numerous
treaties and alliances with Poland,
Czechoslovakia, Rumania and Yugo-
slavia. From the Adriatic and Medi-
terranean (and If the rebels succeed
in Spain, from the Atlantic) to the
North Sea Fascism dominates Europe
In the extreme East, communism is
firmly imbedded in the vast Russian
territory which extends itself from
the Black Sea up to the North Sea.
In between these two extremes are
caught the nations which since the
beginning of civilization in Europe
have always been the cradle Of un-
rest. Too small to live on their own
resources, they have ever been de-
pendent on their bigger and stronger
neighbors and allies, and at present,
with political misinformation infiu-
encing every phase Of economic life.
emotions are apt to run wild at the
slightest provocation.
British Economies Strong.
England has always been a very i'm
portant factor in the economic struc-
ture of these Southeastern countries
OF Europe. Coal, iron ore, steel and
textiles have been shipped from Eng
land to each and all Of them, since
these commodities are modern neces-
sites and hardly available there. And
where they are available economic
conditions are such that no one could
compete with the financial resources
of England in extending long-term
credits or even production prices. 1t
has been known that manufacturers
underbid England al actual loss merely
for the sake of winning that market
and thus create opportunities to gain
back temporary losses by future trans
actions. But these attempts resulted
mostly in the strengthening Of the
British position. Another factor is
the jealousy which exists among all
these nations as result Of political
hatred. The Hungarian hates the
Yugoslavian because Yugoslavia re-
ceived through the treaty of Versailles
the provinces of Croatia and Slavonia
and part of the Banat; he hates Ru-
mania for having received part OF for.
mer Hungary and he hates the Czecho-
slovakian for the same reason. All
three hate the Hungarian. The Aus.
trian finds himself in a more peculiar
situation. Their arch enemy, Italy.
who has taken the larger part, the
beautiful Austrian Tyrol. and parts
of Corinithia. is, officially. not being
hated, but, officially. loved as the great
brother who helped the little man in
need.
Poland Is jealous Of Rumania and
has her arch-enemy in Russia. And
so We find that each one nation or
state created by the dictum by the
treaty Of Versailles has some pet
enemy whom to hate is national
pleasure. Hatred. as we'll as fear. is
always born by economic unrest. and
thus it finds its expression again in
economics.
Strict laws have been enacted which
limit the importation of necessities to
certain amount, mostly depending
on an equivalent in exports. But,
since all Of them lack raw materials
and have approximately the same
commodities agricultural products
and cattle) for export, they. naturally.
cannot trade with each other to any
great extent. Their economic condi-
ton is very similar. too. All their
transactions are mostly on short-term
credit because they lack financial
strength which would allow them to
grant longer terms. Thus, naturally,
a country like England, rich enough
to grant loans and credits for long
terms, could easily dominate the mar
kets. And, as it is we'll known, the
former Prince Of Wales and King Ed
ward VIII was an excellent salesman.
Carols Return Recalled.
One particular case should be
mentioned here because. in the writ
er's opinion. King Edwards abdica-
ton may have repercussions. And
this is the case of Carol, King of Ru-
mania. who, like Edward VIII. was in
love with commoner, Nine. Lupescu.
He abdicated his throne and rank, and,
after divorcing his wife, the mother OF
his son and successor to the throne,
went into exile. But he returned and by
q coup-detat dethroned his son and
resumed his position as King. 1t may
not happen. but it is possible that
King Edwards abdication will find an
echo in that state, which Of late has
been in the throes of political strug-
giles.
The powder kegs" In Europe are
well filled. and the prevailing high
tension produces many a hot spark.
So far the British government has
been able to keep untangled the many
threads which link modern nations,
and King Edward was an able collab-
orator. His successor will have job
on his hands merely to keep intact
what Edward VIII leaves.