The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-07-25
An Expert
Appraises
The War
nv !. w. T. MASON
United Press War Expert

Critical possibilities in south
eastern Europe again are distract
ing Chancellor Hitlers attention
from his plans to try to invade |
Great Britain, while the zero hour |
for cancelling the invasion because
of adverse weather conditions
draws daily nearer. This week. |
ends conferences at Salzburg be-
tween Hitler and the premiers and |
foreign ministers of Rumania and |
Bulgaria show the uncertainty that |
hangs over the Balkans with Rus
sia's wavering policy disconcerting |
Germany's arrangements.
Hitler's call to the representa-
tives of Rumania and Bulgaria fol- |
lows the annexation of the three |
Baltic republics by Russia and re-
ports that Stain is interested in
fomenting the establishment of
Communist government in Ru-
mania. Both the Rumanian and
the Bulgarian governments are
antagonistic to the spread of Rus
sian annexation ambitions in the |
Balkans. That is their only COM
mon meeting ground for an
amicable discussion.
Wants Former Province
Bulgaria wants to regain her
former province of Dobruja an
nexed by Rumania after the last
war but the Rumanians have
threatened to declare war rather
than give up the territory. The
Salzburg conference undoubtedly
viii take up this delicate question
which could set the Balkans
aflame in the midst of German
blitzkrieg against Great Britain.
Hitler has a powerful argument
to use against a Balkan war. He
can demonstrate to Rumania and
Bulgaria that If they start fight
ing they will be giving an invita-
ton TO Russia TO intervene in
Balkan affairs. The Rumanians
and the Bulgsrians thus might
both lose in the end to Stain.
Such an explanation of the
realities. however. will force Hitler
to display TO the Rumanian and
Bulgarian governments an anti
Russian attitude. BY using the
Russian DOGGY to frighten Ru-
mania and Bulgaria, Hitler must
risk placing Germany's relations
with Russia on delicate ground.
Nevertheless, events in south
eastern Europe have recently been
developing so antsgonistically to
German and Italian basic interests
that Hitler finds himself in a
corner.
Can't Afford New War
He cannot afford to see a
Balkan war at this time, and he
may we'll decide that IL is less
precarious 10 allow Russo-German
relations to become somewhat cool
than TO fail to check hostilities
among the little southeastern ma
tons. Hitler understands there is
no easy way out. Bulgaria is
Slav country and while not desir-
ing TO see Russian Communism ex-
psnd, the Bulgarisns would well
come Russian assistance in re-
claiming Dobrujs.
Mussolini is as vitality interest
ed in the present Russo Balkan
situation as is Germany. but there
are no Italian delegates at Salz-
burg. Count Cisno, however, dur
ing his visit last weekend 10 Ber-
lin undoubtedly discussed the mat
ter with Hitler. Italy's absence
from Sslzburg is doubtless due TO
Hitler's desire not TO irritate
Stain too much.
Italy Still Bitter
Italian antagonism toward the
Russian Communist government
has not been softened TO the same
extent as Germany's. Mussolini
has not moderated his snti-Soviet
feelings. So in situation as
delicate as that now prevailing in
the Balkans. it is better policy for
Hitler to do all the talking if the
siavs and southeastern Europe are
not 10 add to the already existing
uncertainties Of the attack against
Britain.