Evening star., 1938-10-16

OIL wheat and raw materials which
Rumania has in large quantities are at
the disposal of the Reich. The German
economic system of barter suits the
Danubian kingdom of King Carol and any
developments of that form of national
economy will continue to suit the
Rumanians.
When the day for the completion of the
plan laid down by Hitler in "Mein Kampf"
arrives-the occupation of the Ukraine
Rumania will be ready to permit German
troops to cross her territory as Prussia al
lowed Napoleon's army to make their way
to Moscow-and disaster.
Yugoslavia Saw Light Early.
Yugoslavia whole -heartedly joined tie
Berlin Rome axis two years ago. Late in
September, when war threatened, Yugo-
slavias Premier Stoyadinovic discussed the
situation with his foreign diplomats. When
asked what Yugoslavia's position in an
eventual conflict would be. he replied that
he had chosen a strict neutrality which,
under the circumstances, must be helpful
to Germany and Italy because its raw
materials would be at the disposal Of the
two dictatorships.
Il have ceased to rely on France since
March 7, 1886, when the Germans re-
militarized the Rhine. And I was wise. I
will not risk the welfare of my people on
a bad gamble France is not in a position
to keep the engagements she has under
taken when the Little Entente was formed
Czechoslovakia is bound to be sacrificed,
whatever happens" Stoyadinovic was
travelling in an automobile with dlplo-
mat, not European when this conversa-
ton took place. The countryside was
beautiful
Two years ago" the Yugoslav states
man is reported to have said, this section
of the country was filled with soldiers. O:
the other side the Italians had hundred.
of thousands of men and gun emplace"
ments On our side this place looked like
a fortress Today there are only frontie
guards to prevent smugglers from goir.
through That is the practical result q
my friendly relations with Hitler and Mus
solini."
Bulgaria Faithful.
King Boris of Bulgaria. son-in-law o.
King Victor Emanuel of ItaIy, vista Ber)ih
at the height of the crias BSssslss, z'l
agricultural country, needs eT-@Tthing
highly industrial state can pEsy:se. Es
gave definite assurances to the Cs,-.>>,.'
that his country had remained iaithis '
to its wartime ally. So did ths practical
Kamal Ataturk, Turkeys dictator. who 10
DAYS ago signed a trade agre- aent with
Berlin to purchase $50. 900 900 worth Of
manufactured products-on credi. OF
course.
When this writer asked high italian
official in Rome in 1886 whether there
would not ultimately be a conflict between
Rome and Berlin because of commercial
rivalries in Central and Southeastern
Europe, the answer was: There is enough
room for the economic expansion OF both
of us in the Danubian Valley and fartF9T
east. Italy needs territories for her e.
pansion: Germany needs markets and raw
materials Our problem is one OF surplus
population, hence our slogan in 1885 was
expand and explode Our industries do
not compete with but complete the German
industries. Our aim is across the Mediter-
ranean The German aim is toward the
Black Sea. These two interests do not
clash but dovetail Mussolini is willing to
let Hitler expand as much as he desires
on the European mainland. 1t will not Pc
at our expense Hitler understands ou'
problem and will not oppose our plan..'
taly's Problem Is African.
Events have shown that these were not
mere words. Italy has obtained all she
could hope for in Europe. Her problem is
an African one Hence. there will be no
opposition in our time to the German
Baltic Black Sea expansion Whether
Hitler or his eventual successors will COM
plete this astonishing chang. in the map
of Europe by establishing military alliances
with the nations it now dotainates politi-
cally and economically is q matter Of
speculation. The opinion o. competent
observers is that he will mertly proceed
along political and economic Nements
and guarantee their territorial integrity
with Germanys military might
Without firing shot Hitler has changes
the map of Europe in few days. Whether
he will be able to maintain the dominatins
position of the Reich depends on b.
political wisdom; on whether he realizns
that the nations which have preferred
peace at any price to destructive war can
stand only limited pressure If he pushes
those who will not accept unlimited dcta-
ton, the map of Europe may change once
more Chamberlain and Daladier have
given him the benefit of the doubt and paid
a heavy price for it. They both hope that
Der Fuehrer will cooperate at the re-
construction of this tattered world rather
than follow purely Germanic policy.
They hope he will be willing to coordinate
the efforts of the new Reich with those of
the western democratic countries at the
limitation of arms and economic con-
ferences which 1t is planned will take
place early next spring
tCopyright, 1881