TENSION MOVES SOUTH

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 12, 14 July 1939, Page 8

TENSION MOVES SOUTH

It has always been a marked feature of German policy, since Herr Hitler came to power and took sole charge, to proceed step by step in aggression along the lines of least resistance. This was illustrated in the occupation of the Rhineland, the anschluss with Austria, the seizure of Czecho-Slovakia, and the recovery of Memel. Whenever signs of serious resistance developed, as in the attempt on Austria in 1934 at the time of the Dollfuss murder, when Signor Mussolini interposed a threat of drastic Italian action, a halt was called and policy in that direction deferred for a more propitious occasion. When this came, in March, 1938, and Italy had in the meantime swung over to Germany, Austria was occupied without difficulty, In Spain and over Czechoslovakia at Munich, a more passive resistance proved ineffective and German policy succeeded. Last March it appeared as if Danzig would follow Memel into the Reich, but Poland showed unexpected firmness, quickly consolidated by the British guarantee of assistance, and after over three months of menace and unrest the Warsaw correspondent of "The Times" is able to state that the Polish Press records "an apparent relaxation of tension throughout Europe, including Danzig." At the same time, it is emphasised that "nothing has happened fundamentally to ease the situation." There is no sign that, Herr Hitler has given up his plans for the incorporation of. Danzig in the Reich and with it the domination of Poland. It is rather that his1 restless activity seems to be seeking an easier outlet elsewhere.

Expansion eastward being for the moment barred and westward out of the question—yet—the only outlet on land is to the south. Here there are hints in the news that it is already being sought. The visit of the Premier of Bulgaria to Berlin last week indicated, as we pointed out then, one outlet through the Balkans, possibly aimed at reaching the Mediterranean ultimately at Salonica. Today there is a statement from Sofia, the Bulgarian capital, that the local Press there

gives hints of the formation of a German-sponsored new Balkan bloc, led by Bulgaria and Yugoslavia, trie basis of which will be the cession to Bulgaria of the Macedonian territory which Yugoslavia acquired after the. War.

Should such a bloc materialise the Axis Powers will gain practically complete control of the Balkans by closing the gap between Italian Albania and Bulgaria. Another, and even more important, movement suggesting the trend of events is the reported expulsion of foreigners from the Italian Tyrol, acquired by Italy from Austria by the Peace Treaty after the War. Here there is a common frontier between Italy and the Reich, crossed, over the Alpine passes, by road and railway. The reason for the expulsion is given by the Geneva correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" as "important German troop movements across the Brenner Pass to Italy in the near future." Large German forces, "specially equipped for colonial service," are reported as already quartered around Innsbruck and Gratz, and it is believed that they will shortly go to Libya. Last month the movement of two German divisions to Italy, it is stated, was immediately reported. One of these divisions is said to be in the Italian Riviera near the French frontier, while the other has gone to Libya. Such movements of troops cannot be ignored by France and Britain, the Powers affected by Axis ambitions in and about the Mediterranean. If the visit of Count Ciano, the Italian Foreign Secretary, to Spain, reported today, has a bearing on the attitude of Genera] Franco to the Axis, the threat becomes even more obvious. It seems clear that the danger zone in the international situation in Europe has definitely shifted to the south.