DANGER SIGNS IN THE BALKANS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 105, 27 January 1940, Page 10

DANGER SIGNS IN THE BALKANS

Some military writers have taken the view that the massing ot German troops in the West and along the frontiers of Belgium and Holland is a feint to cover a drive into the Balkans through Rumania, with the co-operation of the Soviet, in the form of the use o Galician territory taken by the Russians from the Poles. Another theory is that there may be a big holding attack on the West coupled with a blow at the Balkans. Colour is given to these readings of the strategical situation by the events reported today. Eor the past week there have been various reports concerning the massing ol German divisions in Galicia, and these reports persist despite demals from Berlin. Germany, also, has demanded from Rumania an absolute monopoly of her oil production and exports. 'I his could only be conceded at the expense of the Allies. Ihe course of events in the near future will depend very much on the degree of agreement reached by the Balkan States for united action against aggression by Germany or Russia, or both; and on the. nature of the understanding between Germany and Russia in regard to their respective spheres of aggression, ff a blow is struck at the Balkans. Rumania, as in the last war. is likely to receive the Iml force of it. '1 he collapse of Rumania would expose Greece to attack, and the Allies’ strategical position in the I'.astern Mediterranean would also be threatened.