Evening star., 1938-08-03
BALKANS PROTECT
MUTUAL INTEREST
Bulgaria Now Accepted as
One of the Regulars
in Entente.
Bv DEWITT MACKENZIE,


Associated Press Foreign Affairs Writer.
NEW YORK, Aug. 3-King Boris,
Bulgaria's democratic dictator (there's
an anomaly for yoW, and Greece's
two-fisted dictator, Gen. John Me-
taxas, wrote a powerful page into
European history when they signed
the pact of amity Sunday between
Bulgaria and neighboring countries
of the Balkan Entente-Turkey.
Greece. Rumania and Yugoslavia-of
which Metaxas is president.
This means that these martial peo-
pies, long famed as doughty fighters,
are getting set to protect their mutual
interests should the necessity arise.
It means that Bulgaria, one OF Ger
many's allies in the World War and
since then regarded rather in the
light of the bad lad of the nelghbor-
hood is being forgiven and is becom-
ing one of the regulars. This is
highly important consolidation, eSpe-
cially in view of the Czechoslovakian
crisis and the talk of possible war in
that part of Europe.
Given Right to Increase Army.
Along with this love feast Bulgaria
Is given the right to increase her army
and military equipment, boon sought
ever since the end of the World War,
when her forces and armaments were
reduced to all but nothing and she was
forbidden to increase them.
Actually, Bulgaria has rearmed con-
siderably. But she has been anxious
to get this violation of the treaty of
Neuilly regularized.
1t is expected that Bulgaria, hav-
ing got this far with neighborly love
through the efforts of her ruler will
toin the Balkan Entente The entente
was formed in 1884 and mutually
guaranteed the signatories' frontiers
against aggression by any Balkan state.
In other words, it was in effect an
alliance against Bulgaria and Albania, |
since those countries didn't join.
Actually, the Balkan states were
looking further than their own penin- |
sula in considering possible aggression |
But they named no names of the great |
powers. This entente, by the way, was
in part result of the work of the late |
Dowager Queen Marie of Rumania.
On Verge of Rebellion.
King Boris likely would have Joined |
hands with his neighbors at that time |
but he was on the verge of an at
tempted rebellion at home by military
leaders who opposed his democratic
tendencies. A couple of months after
the entente was formed, the military
folk essayed coup to secure control
OF government, but Boris smashed this
with handful of loyal supporters and
set himself up as dictator, promising
to give the man in the street his
rights.
The signing of the pact of amity be-
tween Bulgaria and the members of
the entente brings Boris into posi-
tion of great prominence at a mo-
ment when the Balkans are looking
Tor strong leadership. Whether he
takes the leading role. Boris is bound
TO play great part in the big history
which bids fair to be made in the
Balkans in the not-distant future
King Boris is in some ways one of
the most remarkable monarchs Europe
has known. He claims to be a demo-
crat-and practices what he breaches.
Constantly he rubs elbows with his
people. He is an accomplished loco
motive engineer Zone of his delights
is to drive an engine), a good auto
mobile mechanic and knows enough of
several other trades to earn his bread
and butter at them.
Not Afraid of Losing Throne.
1T wouldn't frighten me if I were
TO lose my throne" he remarked once.
If that were to happen, I should 90
right to America and get Job. 1 know
lots OF trades, and even if 1 were to
fail at those, there is no reason why
shouldn't get job as university pro-
fessor"
Boris has made many democratic
reforms IN the past four years.
While the Balkans are combining
Tor mutual protection, they have given
no indication that they are inspired
by hostility to Germany. Indeed.
Fuehrer Hitler seems to have some
pretty good friends in that section.
Greece being among them However,
the Balkans are jealous Of their inde-
pendence and will brook no interfer-
frOy,o