BALANCED EUROPE

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 June 1943, Page 5

BALANCED EUROPE

NEW GROUPINGS PROPOSED

A balanced Europe that is neither dominated by one Power nor torn by rival Powers demands a new conception expressed by the term Middle Zone, which would contain Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania. Poland, Czechoslovakia, Rumania. Hungary, Jugoslavia, Bulgaria, Albania, Greece' — and Austria (we regard the inclusion of Austria as vital). The Middle Zone requires an independent Poland with frontiers stronger, from a strategic point of view, than those that existed before September, 1939, and a coast that will enable Poland to dispose of sea—as well as land —power. Poland would be the principal Power in what might be termed the Northern Group of the Middle Zone.

Czechoslovakia would be the principal Power in the ’Central Group, consisting of herself. Austria, and Hungary. Two essential tasks would fall to the Czechs —the extirpation of Pan-Germanism in Austria and of revisionism in Hungary (the latter can only be achieved by the emancipation of the Hungarian peasant). The Balkans would make up the Southern Group, under the leadership of Jugoslavia (Greece cannot be regarded as entirely a Balkan country, for she holds a special position as a Mediterranean Power: the alliance between her and Great Britain should be made permanent). The Middle Zone would put a term to German eastward expansion—and, therefore, to the German danger; Germany cannot threaten Western Europe unless she can dispose of their resources. The Middle Zone will give Russia permanent security, but only if the countries in the zone form a strong association. The Middle Zone is the only possible basis of collaboration between England and Russia after the war. England and Russia will themselves find security.—(“Nineteenth Century”).