EYES ON BALKANS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23719, 27 July 1940, Page 12

EYES ON BALKANS

RUMANIAN AMBAV3SADOB RECALL FROM LOjNDON AIMS OF BRITISH I POLICY By Telegraph—Press Association —; Copyright British Wireless LONDfON, July 25 Commentators in London are inclined to link an announcement that M. Viorcl Virgil frilea, Rumanian Ambassador in London, has been recalled with recent developments in Rumania. Thii together with the feverish activity of German i diplomacy in south-easteipi Europe, has brought- the problems of that area back into the forefront of interest in diplomatic circles. i

The question of M. Tileajs successor is reported to be now undcs* consideration by the Rumanian Government. Regret is expressed in official quarters at his recall. He was apjjiointed to London in February, 1939, and during his term of office had been well known for his efforts to maintain a®d improve the relations between Britain and Rumania.

Stabilising Influencje British policy in the Balkans, as elsewhere, for Jong lias beem directed to the maintenance of the principle that the outstanding questions between the States should be submitted tjo peaceful settlement in a spirit of mutnal respect and goodwill. As the menace of Nazi aggression grew and its sinister shadow lengthened across Europe, "iHie British Government sought to exercibe a stabilising influence, and found .its efforts seconded with comprehension and loyalty by the Turkish Government. It is recalled that in April,. 1939, the British Government gave a 'guarantee to Rumania. After Hitler unloosed his war in Europe British diplomacy never faltered in its counsels on 'behalf of Balkan solidarity, as a safeguard against Nazi exploitation ancL attack. Bulgarian Frontier Claims On the other band, cases u3iere good sense enjoined that, in the faoe of common danger, questions liable to arouse passion or suspicion should be postponed, or the claims should be held in restraint against a return to conditions where settlement by negotiatibn without resort to violence could bje anticipated, the British Government; did not permit its sympathies and opinions on the merits of the questions themselves — sympathies often well known—-to prejudice its moderating'influenced The Rumanian and Bulgarian frontier question may be cited as .an illustration. The justice of the Bulgarian claims against Rumania in thi)s region for some time past lias been recognised by the British Government, arnfd in the British press they have always sympathetic notice. More Urgent Question But, while the strengthening of Rumanian resistance to encroachments from Berlin presented itself as one of the most important contributions to Balkan peace, Britain felt obliged to place first the safeguarding of justice and freedom for Europe as a whole, and to relegate to second place the realisation of justice in one case in one part of Europe. It is believed iu London that this attitude is not misunderstood in Sofia.

More recent events have gone far to destroy the hopes, on which this attitude was founded, and if the result should be earlier restitution to Bulgaria, in accordance with her just claims, British satisfaction will not- bo withheld, even if paradoxically justice should be aided by outside intervention, inspired by motives the reverse of just.

RUMANIAN MINISTERS RECEIVED BY HITLER (Received July 26, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 25 The Daily Express says Hitler and Count Ciano received the Rumanian Prime Minister, Dr. Gigurtu, and the Foreign Minister, M. Manoilescu, at Salzburg.