Evening star., 1938-01-09
Goga Joins the Dictators,
Opening Way to Ukraine
Little Entente, Now Stronger Than Ever, Supports
United Front of Hitler, Mussolni and
Other Dictators.

mized. Despite occasional reports tn the
contrary from optimistic pacifcists. Ger
many and Italy have been prepared to start
new war since last year. They are GER
tainly much better equipped than japan,
While their air forces, artillery and Of
hcers are not entirely perfected, both coun-
tries are relatively better of than Great
Britain and France.
The German general staff has exercised
restraining influence on Hitler and have
refused to precipitate a war until now.
The reason for this has been that the
Reich, and to certain extent Italy, lacked
sufficient raw materials, foodstuffs. etc.
Both those nations have been storing such
supplies for long time But even these
reserves are not deemed adequate for more
than IL months. And while most expertt
believe that another war will not last that
long. the general staff is compelled to con-
slider every possible eventuality.
Neither dictator can count on supplies
from the West. The blockade will be too
tight to expect anything from the United
IL.
But now that the nations of the Little
Entente-with the exception, for the pres
ent, of Czechoslovakia-have gone over to
the Fascist-Nazi camp, Germany and Italy
can count confidently on an adequate sup
ply Of food, oil, copper, iron and other ne
cessities from the states Of Southeastern
Europe.
Yugoslavia is still friendly toward
France and will refuse to be drawn ac-
lively into any conflagration as long as
her national interests are not involved.
But business is business. And the sale of
her raw materials draws her economically
into the German-I Italian camp. The Yugo-
slav government has made arrangements
with the German and the Italian govern
ments guaranteeing to sell them all they
need on barter basis. Bulgaria has done
the same. So the dictators are assured of
adequate supplies Of food and copper.
Rumania's Resources Great.
Now Rumania has fallen into their laps
Rumania has not only vast resources of
food and wool. but also the most important
OIL fields In Europe. Moreover, the copper
and iron mines in Transylvania could be
developed to increase their present pro-
duction.
Furthermore, Rumania Is traditonally
hostile to Russia. While Carol was still
loyal to his French allies. this hostility was
camouhaged by non-aggression treaty
between Moscow and Bucharest. This pact
is now by way Of being renounced. It was
one Of the first acts Of the Goga govern
ment.
With the Germans and the Poles the
Rumanians share deep hatred for the
Russians, regardless Of what form Of gov
ernment exists in that country.
Those who have been following closely
the developments in Europe still believe
that the Reich has not abandoned its
belicose intentions toward Russia If
nothing has happened until now, the rea-
son is that the Reich is doing things
methodically and its leaders do not want
to take chance as the imperial govern
ment did In 1914. To make q successful
attack against Russia 1t is necessary not
only to have a military, air and naval
power, but reliable allies as we'll.
Since September, 1896, when Hitler did
not mince words regarding the Soviets in
his Nuremberg speech, much progress has
been made. Poland has ccme closer to
the Naz form Of government. Yugoslavia
is unwilling to f1ght-and her military
assistance is not needed-but she IL will
ing to sell everything she produces.
In 1886 Rumania was completely under
the French influence. Ttulescu was still
the principal figure in Rumania's affairs
and Titulescu was more loyal to France
than many Frenchmen.
Strategic Problem simplihed.
CSechoslovakia is in an unfortunate po-
sition geographically She Is situated be-
tween Germany and Russia. As long as
Rumania could be counted in the French
Czech camp and the Poles are reluctant to
permit passage Of German forces, the
Germans would have encountered oppo-
sition in entering the Soviet territory. But
now that Rumania has unmistakably en-
tered the German camp, the strategic prob
lem Of Germany has been simplified.
For the last six months the German
government has protested against the
treatment Of the German minorities in
Czechoslovalda. There Is no other solu-
ton, they say, but complete autonomy
for the Sudeten Germans This, Berlin
knows, will never be conceded by the
Prague government. The alternative is
coup or an incident which may lead the
German armies into Czechoslovakia, thence
via Rumania into the coveted Ukraine.
This may be the sequel Of Rumania's
shift to totalitarianism. As is customary
in modern diplomacy, the King Of Ru-
mania and the President Of France are
exchanging love messages. pledsing them
selves to eternal friendship. But In the
meantime. 0oga Is making hasty prepara-
tons to dovetail his policies with those Of
Italy and Germany. Tho Beriin-Rnms-
Toxic axis starts tho nsw year with greater
strength than ever.
Copyright. 1888. Mcclure NswspapsT ssndicats)
BOy Barred From School