Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1940-07-04

Germany. 1t was then that the
dispatches in the daily press, not
without reason, spoke about the
possibility of rift between Rus
STA and Germany.
Bessarabia is one of those unhappy
border regions whose fate it is to be
always tossed back and forth between
contending great powers; it is ter
ritory corresponding in area to that
of Vermont, and famed far and wide
for its wheat, corn, orchards and
caviar; there are pretty close to mil
lion inhabitants, and almost mil
lions are said to be Rumanians. The
Russians maintain that the larger
part of the population is Ukrainian.
Complications.
Northern BukoWina was prior to
the last world war a part of the
Austro-Hungarian empire, not of Rus
STA. Now the Russians have taken
it, anyhow.
At the same time the Soviets have
demanded that Hungary cede to them
the province of Ruthenia which for
merly belonged to Czecho-Slovakia,
and as if to balance matters, Hungary
insists that Rumania must cede to
it the region known as Pennsylvania,
one of the Rumanian world-war
spoils, taken from the now defunct
Austro-Hungarian empire.
Apparently proceeding from the
theory that one must pick while the
picking is good, Bulgaria has put in
claim for the Rumanian province
of Dobrudja, and has emphasized it
by placing troops along the southern
frontier of Rumania.
So far, the two other major
Balkan states, Turkey and Yugo-
slavia, cOnfine themselves to the
tedious task of awaiting further
developments. But they are
doing SO with the finger on the
trigger.
1t is said that King Carol of Ru-
mania has appealed to Hitler and
Mussolini for support, and it is not
impossible that his prayer will be
granted, for Germany and Italy are
just now not very ANXIOUS to have to
establish new front. They feel they
will have their hands full disposing
of Great Britain.
RumOrs of Peace.
A few days ago Berlin. Rome, Lon
don and neutral capitals were filled
with rumors to the effect that Ger
many might make peace proposals to
the British government, generously"
offering it the retention of 95 per
cent of the British empire but in
sisting that the Suez Canal and the
Gibraltar Strait be internationalized.
The rumOr was promptly
speared. London announced that
under no circumstances would it
talk peace with Hitler now, and
Berlin insisted that the CLUMSY
peace Vancouver" was of British
origin, therefore to be laughing
ly discounted.
In the meantime, the major German
offensive against England is expected
at almost any moment. There have
been, during the last few nights, a
number of German bombings of Eng
lish, Welsh and Scotch positions, sew
eral persons have been killed, much
property damage done.
The British have retaliated with
attacks on German cities and fac
tories.
But all this tit-for-tat business is
merely in the nature of skirmishes.
The real battle is yet to come, and
England is fearful of the possible re-
suits but steadfast and determined
in her will to resist with all her
power.
After the Debacle.
POSt-mortem analyses of the COL
lapse of France are now in progress
and are revealing a sorry state of
affairs, for as the sordid story I'M
folds itself it becomes increasingly
clear that the French republic has
once more been exploited, to large
extent, by corrupt politicians and not
too efficient generals.
The core of the French people
is sound, as always. The decay
is visible only in the top layers.
No definite word has come as to
the fate of the French navy, second
largest in Europe, and several rumors
to the effect that it is in safe British
ports have not in each instance been
confirmed.
One outstanding fact remains and
that is that France is out of the war.
and that Great Britain now fights, I'M
supported, the formidable armies and
navies of Germany and Italy, with
Russia still an undetermined factor.