The Press MONDAY, APRIL 22, 1940. The Balkans Turn to Russia

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23001, 22 April 1940, Page 8

The Press MONDAY, APRIL 22, 1940. The Balkans Turn to Russia

The last week has seen important developments in the tortuous and unstable diplomacy of the Balkans, developments with which the Allies have some reason to feel satisfied. In saying this it is necessary to admit that only the general drift of events is perceptible; the significance of much that has occurred is still obscure. At the beginning of this month, German diplomacy in the Balkans appeared to bo concentrating mainly on two objectives: a more favourable trade agreement with Rumania, including a more favourable rate of exchange between the German and Rumanian currencies, and the establishment of German control over the whole of the Danube. At the beginning of last week it was clear that on both points Germany had suffered reverses. Dr. Clodius and th» German economic mission left Bucharest with unimportant trade concessions and without persuading the Rumanian Government to reduce the value of the Rumanian currency in terms of German currency. Hungary, Jugoslavia, Rumania, and Bulgaria announced that they themselves would assume full responsibility for policing the Danube in their territories. This decision, and the German request for at least a share in the control of the Danube where it passes through Balkan countries, arose out of the virtual suspension of the operations of the European Danube Commission. The immediate consequence of this unexpected display of courage on the part of the States concerned was the worst war scare in the Balkans since the beginning of hostilities between Germany and the Allies. Heavy German troop concentrations were reported in south-eastern Austria; and it was a matter for speculation whether the threat was directed against Hungary or Jugoslavia. The anxieties of these two countries were further increased by a sudden turn for the worse in the relations between Italy and the Allies. Hitherto, the Balkans had been kept in a state of uneasy equilibrium by the conflict, fully exploited by Balkan statesmen, of German and Italian interests in the Balkans. If Italy's new policy meant that at their Brenner meeting Hitler and Mussolini had reconciled their Balkan interests, then clearly the basis'for this equilibrium had been destroyed. In this perilous situation the Jugoslav Government acted vigorously and adroitly. An extensive round-up of German agents was begun; M. Stoyadinovich, a former Premier with strong German leanings, was arrested; some 300,000 troops were concentrated in the south as a reply to increased Italian military activity in Albania; M. Cincar-Marcovitch, the Foreign Minister,, effusively, complimented the Hungarian Government on its wise and forbearing attitude; and it was announced that a trade delegation was being sent to Russia, a country with which Jugoslavia has not had diplomatic relations for more than 20 years. It is now reported, to the obvious discomfiture of the Italian Government, that Rumania is also sending a. trade delegation to Russia. This means, or appears to mean, that the Balkan countries, confronted by the menace of'an active ItaloGerman partnership in the Balkans, have once more turned their eyes towards Russia, traditionally their protector. What makes this move more interesting is that Russia has at the same time requested Great Britain to resume the negotiations for a trade treaty which were broken off at the beginning of the war in Pinland. To suppose that this new solidarity among the Balkan countries and their new friendship with Russia are permanent developments "would be to ignore the essential instability, both, political and economic, of the Balkan system. But there is solid comfort in what has happened for the Allies. In the first place, it again emphasises that Russia is for Germany a most unreliable partner. In the second place. it shows that German efforts to bring Italy "and Russia into line have failed.. And in the third place it shows that Russia is anxious to improve her relations with Great Britain., What -her motives are remains a matter for speculation. The British Government has been guarded in its reception of Moscow's overtures and has indicated plainly that it does not propose to increase British trade with a country which is giving Germany economic assistance on a large scale.