The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-08

The worried maneuvers of Ru- mania, Yugoslavia and Poland are secondary today but they may be tomorrow's headline news. So, too, may developments in three other areas-the Baltic states, Turkey and Switzerland.
 All three are strongly feeling the spread of Nazi influence and each has reacted differently. All three, but particularly the Baltic states and Turkey, may be of great inn portancein the future plans of Nazi Fuehrer Adolf Hitler.
 
 The death of hard drinking, modern minded Kemal Ataturk, dic- tator of Turkey, removed a powerful figure from the path of German ex- pansion eastward along the historic Berlin-to-Bagdad route that led to collision with the British empire and the World war. But his successor, Gen. Ismet Inonu, is widely respect ed as practical statesman.
 Great Britain is inclined to view the change in Turkish leadership as retarding German influence in the Near East, if anything. Gen. Inonu is considered a good friend of both Britain and Soviet Russia. The interests of both Britain and Russia are in harmony in regard to the BosphoruS. They want Tur- key to be a barrier to German ex- pansion into Asia Minor.
 Turkey, which in the past had been cooperating with both London and Moscow, may continue to do so, diplomats believe. They remember that Gen. Inonu fought Britain at the 1923 Lausanne conference, but they pointed out that since then he has become a good friend. In fact, he recently learned to speak Eng fish to facilitate dealing with Britain.
 On the other hand, Nazi Econo- mist Minister Walther Funk had a very profitable visit in Istambul and extended some $60,000, ,0OO credits for purchases of industrial equipment and arms in Germany.
 Turkish leaders themselves say that under the new regime their foreign policy will continue one of general peace and sincere under. standing with all states"
 Switzerland is becoming alarmed by the recent increase of Nazi propaganda within its tradition ally neutral frontiers - and is striking back vigorously.
 The government has begun an intensive campaign to limit all Swiss Nazi and Communist organ izations. Federal measures for cen Sorship of NaZi and Communist newspapers and rigid curtailment of all organizational activities is scheduled for the near future. Meanwhile, President Johannes Baumann has announced that the Federal Council had decided to prescribe punishment for all per- sons convicted of intrigue with foreign countries.
 The Swiss cantons nearest Ger. many are most nervous. At Basic, police arrested the would Swiss Fuehrer, Major Ernest Leonhardt, leader of the National Socialist Swiss Workers party, which is modelled after the German NaN party.
 Nazi propaganda recently has been intensified and the country has been flooded with pseudo-sci- entific literature and maps intend ed to show that a great part of Switzerland is racially, geograph- ically and culturally linked to Germany. There are 170,000 Ger mans in Switzerland, many be- longing to Nazi affiliated clubs.
 In the Baltic states = Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia-the rise of Nazi Germany to dominance of Central Europe has led to a policy of strict neutrality.
 Estonia has introduced a special neutrality law defining that na- tion's position in event of war in Europe. Latvia and Lithuania are expected to do the same. Public opinion has been steadily educated by the governments to realization that participation or sympathy to- ward any combination of big pow CTS is impractical and hazardous.
 This viewpoint has been difficult for the Latvians to graps because for years that nation had viewed Germany as Enemy No. l, but pressure brings about remarkable changes. Lithuania's position has been difficult because of the city of Memel, which some Nazi circles have talked about as a possible key to solution of the Polish corridor problem. The Polish corridor splits East Prussia from the rest of the Reich and it has been suggested that, if Poland could get an outlet through Memel, an arrangement might be made for returning the corridor to Germany.
 The Baltic states will get to- gether in December at a confer tempt to harmonize and complete their neutral status.