Evening star., 1938-11-28
Test Facing Stoyodinov;tch
In YuqosIuv Vote December II
Amity With Reich
To Be One Of
Big Issues
RyC.L SULZBERGER.

oGA11tA0Gi, 4NOS. 90 \N.S2.4N.A.Js
-Yugoslavia celebrates her Goth
birthday Thursday. On that date,
in 1918, the Serbs and Croats
united behind the late King Alex
ander, absorbed the Slovenes and
ousted Austro-German influence
from the South Slavic provinces.
The anniversary will be observed
with fanfare.
Ten days later the nation goes
to the polls for general elections.
The government of Premier Milan
Stoyadinovitch seeks a mandate for
four more years in ONCE. His foreign
policy, a major issue, is popularity
interpreted as meaning friendship
with Germany, successor to the
Austrian Empire and inneritor of
many of Its aspirations. And DR..
Stoyadinovitch is telling the people:
"See what happened to Czechoslo-
vakia." There is every indication
he will be reelected.
Friendship with Germany is q
reversal from the traditional orient
alton toward the Western democra-
cies which marked the international
relations of this country during the
first 16 years of its existence. AS
a matter of fact, the Stoyadinovitch
policy is somewhat deeper than this.
In nutshell, it is Balkan version
of the good neighbor" precept, with
Germany occupying the position OF
most influential neighbor.
Break in Foreign Policy.
The general outline was conceived
by King Alexander and, after his
death, was adopted by Prince Regent
Paul. When DR.. Stoyadinovitch as
sumed Office, the prince instructed
him to continue its trend. To the man
in the street this German friend
ship is a distinct break from the
days when Yugoslavias fate was
tied to France. 1t was vigorously
sponsored by DR.. Stoyadinovitch
long before Austrian "AnschlusS
and Czechoslovak partition were
matters of common consideration.
For politicians in a land where
the French are revered in monu-
ment, aspiration and tradition,
where tales of Austrian imperial
tyranny and German war cruelties
still echo, it is policy of some
risk. But DR.. Stoyadinovitch is a
realist and a gambler. For the mo-
ment. at least, he appears to be
backing the right horse.
The extent of reorientation is
largely due to DR.. Stoyadinovitch,
who acts in the dual capacity OF
prime and foreign minister. It's
origin can be traced through Prince
Paul, cousin of the late King, and
head of the regency of three which
remains operative until 1941. In that
year, King Peter II celebrates his
18th birthday and commences active
rule.
Personalities Important.
In land of constitutional mon
archy, with the accent on the latter
word, personalities assume great i'm
portance. Far and away the out
standing man in Yugoslavia at pres
ent is DR.. Stoyandinovitch, a large,
hearty individual with charming
smile and enormous, long-haired
eyebrows. His position is about half
way between that of a totalitarian
dictator and French premier. In
between elections, which are subject
to royal call (and, through an open
ballot, more than modicum Of gov
ernment controD, he IS responsible
only to the King or to his delegated
authority.
DR.. Stoyadinovitch is shrewd, far
sighted business man, with an ex-
cellent knowledge of finance. Ac-
cording to competent Yugoslav OBJ
server: He is fundamentally a pa
triotic nationalist, but he will go
right or left, depending upon the Sit
uation. His very elasticity is one OF
his powers. He might be described
as politically amoral and a Machia-
vellian nationalist. Tomorrow, he
could become either Fascist or full
fedged liberal democrat"
Although he is man of consider
able personal charm, DR.. Stoyadin-
ovitch has never been able to
acquire true popularity with the
masses. He is not persuasive speak
er. Those who do not know him re-
gard him as cold. Although race
counts heavily in the tribal atmo-
sphere of the Balkans, many OF his
fellow Serbs dislike him. However,
among his friends the prime minister
is vastly popular. His affability and
his indefatigability are by-words.
Enthusiastic Dancer.
He eats and drinks little, has q
fine memory for names and faces,
speaks several languages. He is an
enthusiastic and supple dancer, de-
spite his so years and respectable en-
bonpoint-it is said he can do the
Cossack dance, in which one kicks
out vigorously from squatting posi-
ton. His tastes are simple; hostesses,
wishing to curry favor, serve him
beer and unsophisticated dishes.
DR.. Stoyadinovitch came to power
in 1885, after one of those compli-
Gated Balkan elections in which, a
wit remarked, "the opposition got the
votes, the incumbent government
got the seats in Parliament, and
Stoyadinovitch got the government"
Before then he had been we'll
known businessman and minister OF
fpopre At mo tiy,oe ho yuas an 0f17.