Evening star., 1941-03-30

BY the revolution which has swept
Yugoslavia, following the adherence of
its previous government to the axis,
Hitler has encountered his first serious
diplomatic defeat. Whatever course the
development now takes, it has been
worth an army corps to the British.
The Importance of the overthrow of
The men who sponsored and signed the
axis agreement can best be measured
by considering the situation as it looked
Immediately after that action Nothing
could then conceal the fact that Yugo-
slavia was being merged in the Nazi
new order"
No explanation or excuse could hide
the magnitude of the rebuff not merely
to Great Britain but also to the United
States. For it was no secret that the
administration had eXerted every effort
from washington to prevent the affiX-
ing of the signatures which took place
IN Vienna last Tuesday.
The Germans themselves took delight
IN emphasizing the reputation of Brit
Ish and American influence involved in
the policy of Prince Paul, the regent of
Yugoslavia. "Britons and Americans"
said Hitler's own newspaper in Munich
on Wednesday, had staked all on one
card in the hope of convincing Yugo-
slavia that Germany harbored agrees
sive intentions" The measure of Ger
man elation then is the measure of the
setback to Hitlers diplomacy now,
Further Irony for Berlin.
There is further irony for Berlin in
the unfortunate assertion, for which
somebody is now likely to get COM
nnitted to concentration camp, that the
timing of Viscount Halifax's speech to
the Pilgrim Society was designed to
divert attention from the japanese For
eign Minister'S visit to Berlin. Much
more of a diversion is now being Gre
ated by events in Yugoslavia.
Precisely because the Germans cheered
too soon, however, it would be wise for
this country not to make a similar
mistake When Prince Paul finally in
structed his Premier and Foreign Min
lister to sign the treaty Of alliance with
Germany, he had good reason to regard
that as the most desirable course. He
certainly did not anticipate the rising
which has resulted in his overthrow
Evidently the regent was mistaken,
especially in his estimate of the attitude
and temper of the army. But just as evi-
IDENTIFY he fully expected enough popular
support, with German backing, to enable
him to carry his policy through to a
successful conclusion. The overturn on
Thursday does not mean that this an
tiCipated support has been suddenly
obhterated. 1t merely means that power
has been seized by faction the strength
OF which was underestimated by Prince
Paul.
To appreciate the delicacy of the pres
ent balance in Yugoslavia, it is well to
recall that the alternative name of that
country is Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats
and Slovenes," these being the three
dominent nationalities in its somewhat
heterogeneous population. Between the
Serbs and Croats in particular, there
has been rivalry since the formation of
the kingdom, and this rivalry is I'M
questionably factor in the present sit
uation.
Support of Croats and SIovenes.
The old kingdom of Serbia is the nu-
eleus of modern Yugoslavia, Serbian roy
atty provided the present monarchy and
Serbians, until some two years ago, held
the important posts in governments with
centralizing policies which aroused much
Croatian opposition. In consequence it
was with the Croats and Slovenes, close
TO the old Austrian border, that German
agents worked most actively. And it is
In these districts that the policy of CO.
operation with Germany found most
support.
The present revolt against the axis
treaty is very evidently Serbian revolt,
with its strength III Belgraoe and other
centers having large Serbian majority.