Evening star., 1936-06-14
HITLER AND DUCE FORM
CENTRAL EUROPE FRONT
RapprOchement of Dictators Began
After Imposition of Sanctions
on Italy.

and an economic agreement which
might prove beneficial to the whole
of Central Europe. He was cordially
received everywhere. returning to Ber-
lin without tangible results but en-
couraged regarding cooperation of
the Balkans in a closer economic un-
derstanding. And from an economic
to a political agreement there is only
one short step.
The daring purpose of Hitler and
Mussolini to bury the hatchet and
dominate Europe west of the Rhine
and the Alps is being facilitated by
the French politicians.
Frances new premier is opposed to
Mussolini and Hitler. But his oppoSi-
ton is platonic one-he believes in
policy of inertia. AS pacifist, Leon
Blum will decrease ornaments. His
policy is security by disarmament"
and he seems determined not to
change it. But Blum can maintain
himself in Office only through the
support of the Communists. And the
Communists in France take their or
ders from Moscow.
The developments in the last two
weeks in France are not encouraging
for Marianne's allies-the Little En-
tente. The leaders in Prague, in
Belgrade and in Bucharest see little
hope for financial and military as
sistance from their great ally if the
present social and political strife in
France does not subside
Moreover, the Socialist leanings of
the Blum cabinet are not to the taste
of the Little Entente rulers. They ac-
cepted the Soviet alliance as neceS-
sary evil in order to please France.
Prince Paul of Yugoslavia, Titulescu
of Rumania and Benes of Czechoslo-
vakia have a high opinion of Russia's
military strength and do not mind
associating their couptries with the
Soviets in the event of war. But
they are loath to see Moscow debating
their home policies. The strikes which
occurred in Frances industrial areas
have made the leaders of the Little
Entente cautious. Doubling the French
government and fearing Russia, they
are making earnest efforts to become
self contained in respect to their ma
tional defenses Well they know that
whenever the German-Italian bloc be-
comes an accomplished fact their
present geographical boundaries will
be changed and their national inde-
pendence jeopardized
Adherence of Four Assured.
It is on this psychological reaction
that the two dictators are counting
for the establishment of the Central
European front. Adherence of Austria,
Hungary, Albania and Bulgaria is al
ready assured. These nations are only
waiting for a sign from Berlin and
Rome to jump on the Italo-Gernan
chariot, without regard to who will
occupy the drivers seat Mussolini or
Hitler.
But the Little Entente is hesitating.
1t still looks toward Geneva and Lon
don. 1t still believes in Britain's
power to prevent the establishment OF
a political dictatorship over Europe,
directed from Rome and Berlin. SO
far, their soundings in London have
not been satisfactory. Great Britain
is opposed, in principle, to dictator
ships, but Hitler and Mussoltni have
become too strong to be sidetracked
in their aims, except by force. And
Great Britain is not in position,
today, to do more than talk about
force
The failure of President Roosevelt
to withdraw the embargo laid on Italy
and Ethiopia. although the war has
been over nearly two months, is evil
dence that the United States, as in
the past, does not wish to hamper
British diplomacy. The State De-
partment is waiting for the word "go"
from London before removing restric-
tions on trade with Italy. That word
will probably come as soon as the
terms of the Hitler -Mussolini ar
rangement Are known.
With the return of Sir Samuel
Hoare to the British cabinet as first
lord of the admiralty, Britain'S policy
is expected to be henceforth more
conciliatory toward II Duce. Hitler
is already recognized in Great Britain
and so long as he does not demand
return of colonies his emissaries will
be welcomed.
Our State Department doesn't like
dictators. either. But if Washington
continues to follow in the footsteps of
Downing street, the path may lead
dangerously close to an agreement
with Hitler and Mussolini.
Copyright, 1866