Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1939. THE BALKANS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 299, 30 September 1939, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1939. THE BALKANS.

The anxiety with which Italy is awaiting the outcome of the conversations between M. Molotov and Herr von Ribbentrop demonstrates the vital importance of the meeting at Moscow. Italy has always endeavoured to counter any move by which another Power would gain influence in the Balkans, even the advances of her original partner in the Axis being regarded with suspicion. The friendship between France and certain of the Balkan States brought Italian diplomacy into action, although there could be no intention of territorial aggrandisement on the part of the Republic. How much more, therefore, must Signor Mussolini fear encroachment by the Soviet, which always has regarded herself entitled to areas in which Slavs form any appreciable portion of the population. The stirrings of anxiety with which the Balkans countries, notably Rumania, faced Germany’s advance into Poland have taken a new turn now that Russia stands astride the Rumanian frontier. A little while ago, in fact not much more than days ago, to have exchanged Germany for Russia in this position might have been a relief. Rumania and Yugoslavia, the two countries likely to be most nearly affected, are parties to a mutual pact of non-aggres-sion with Soviet Russia. So was Poland. The way in which the Polish instrument was discarded, the rapidity with which Russian territorial ambitions have grown to match and even outmatch Hitler’s, are sufficient justification for the new nervousness in the Balkans. Rumania has special reason to doubt Russia’s intentions, for she has possession of two large districts which the Soviet covets as former parts of the Imperial realm of Russia. The pact that, it is reported, is to be signed between Turkey and Russia has considerable bearing on. the position. The organisation of a Black Sea bloc, including Rumania, Bulgaria and Turkey, would be a great factor toward peace, but it is doubtful if Rumania will agree as the plan involves her surrender of the Dobruja province to Bulgaria. Russia renounces all claims on Bessarabia, which has long been a potential source of trouble between her and Rumania. Turkey is to be assured of Germany being halted in the thrust toward the Mediterranean, and in return is to exclude the Allies from the Black Sea. The reward to Turkey will be exclusion of war from the Balkans, or in effect, from the whole Mediterranean basin. If this is effected, and if Russia halts where she stands, it will be an important step in localising the war, and will offer the Allies advantages that may well compensate for the closing of the Dardanelles.