World Events Explained.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 270, 13 November 1937, Page 3 (Supplement)

World Events Explained.

By ARPAD SZIGETVARY.

Ataturk has turned her back on Europe, where ehe now has only a small area, of laud, and is devoting all her attention to developing her hitherto neglected Aeia Minor territory. Even the capital has been changed from the old one at Constantinople in Europe to Ankara far into Turkteh Asia Minor. A mere village when Kemal Ataturk moved Inn Government there, it is now fast becoming a fine, modern city.

The chief reason for Turkey forming the Balkan Entente was not because she loved the other Balkan countries. In fact, until comparatively recent years they all Ix'longed to her, arid she naturally renented their loss. Her reason wa* fear of Italy. You see. Italy in 1014 was reallv allied to Germany and Austria Hungary. To persuade her to come in on our side she was promised a part of Turkish Aisia Minor, among other things. Thw promise wa* never fulfilled, and Italy still covets the land she did not gain.

That is why Turkey formed the Balkan Entente for mutual protection.

You will hav« noticed that, as well as the King of the Greek*, the Kings of Rumania and Bulgaria have recently paid visits to London and Paris. This is probably due to the fear that Germany and Italy are gaining so much influence in the countries, a fear that these two great Powers might wish to seise some of their territory. The King of the Greeks is pro-British, but his Prime Minister, General Metaxas, who i* trying to be a Mussolini-like Dictator, is strongly pro-German, and through that fact ha* made German influence in Greece most powerful—at tlie expense of Great Britain. Italian influence is gaining in Yugoslavia and Rumania, both of which countries are really very friendly to Britain.

By thp way, it is incorrect to refer to the King of the Greeks urn King of Greece, just as it is incorrect to refer to the King of th* Belgian* as King of Belgium. A« a matter of fact, the real name for Greece is Hellas, and the real title of tha ruler k King of the Hellenes.