Evening star., 1943-06-30
Europe's NeutroIs

AS tAC Wol Tvs SllAlaA, tIlC
status and policies Of Europes neu-
trails become Of increasing impor-
tance. In Europe proper there are
fiVe neutral StateS-Ere, Portugal,
Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. To
them should be logically added Tur
key because of its European toehold
at the straits and its potential sig
nincance In the Balkans.
All these neutrals occupy highly
strategic positions, and three Of
them tSweden, Switzerland and
Turkey have relatively large armies,
well trained and well equipped.
Sweden, In addition, has fairly
strong navy. Obviously If even one
Of the major neutralS should enter
the war, the effect would be great,
while il several of them should do SO
at this crucial moment, the result
might we'll be decisive. With the
possible exception Of Spain, it is
practically certain that none OF them
would voluntarily align itself with
the Axis. Therefore, these neutrals
may be considered as possible re-
cruits for the United Nations
Nevertheless, that possibility,
whether considered individually or
collectively, today appears remote.
BY grim process of elimination,
these existing neutrals represent
those nations who are so determined
to stay out of the world holocaust
that they have cOntrived to resist
are the neutralS' unhappy lot in a
war OF such intensity and magni-
tude. In part this Is due to their
balanced position which tends "
deter belligerent aggression upon
them as not being worth the price or
the larger consequences which would
enSue. But even more important is
the fact that none Of them wants
anything as the reward Of victory
that would compensate them for the
perils and losses they would assume
by taking sides.
The classic and irreduCible neutral
Is Switzerland In this. as in former
wars, the little nation perched on
Europe's mountain kernel is the the
activities and exchanges which both
sets Of belligerentS hnd necessary
even in wartime. This, combined
with Swiss ability and determination
" resist invasion " the death, in
Sures its continued neutrality be-
yond reasonable doubt.
Sweden Is land Of somewhat di-
vided Sympathies and antipathieS,
her deep aversion to NaZi Germany
for its conquest Of Norwegian and
Danish kinSmen being balanced by
friendship for Finland and historic
fears Of Russia in any guiSe. But
Sweden wants nothing except to be let
alone and to preserve from deStruc-
ton the fine civilization it has built
up. So long as it's neutrality is
reasonably respected, it will keep out.
Spain Is too exhausted from it's
recent civil war to dare anything,
especially now that Allied prospects
have banished incipient dreams of
North African annexations. Portu-
gal, small and weak, clings deSper-
ately to neutrality in the hope of
keeping its tempting colonial empire.
Fire Is still too mindful of the ancient
grudge against Britain to do more
than cherish its immunity from
physical damage, no matter what the
effect its neutrality may have on ITS
hopes Of reuniting Northern Ireland
The most discussed neutral is Tur-
key. Hopes have often been voiced
that Turkey would strike in on the
Allied side. But Ataturk, the creator
of this transformed nation, put
resolutely behind him the dream of
a restored Ottoman Empire; so the
statesmen at Ankara who carry on
his legacy are proof against terri
torial bribes. They know how slender
are their resources and wish to
emerge from the war intact and with
free hands.