A NEW BALKAN ENTENTE?

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23850, 28 December 1940, Page 6

A NEW BALKAN ENTENTE?

In the midst of uncertainties about Hitler's plans for the relief of Italy, an item of precise news from Ankara encourages expectation of defensive action by Turkey and Bulgaria together. Bulgaria lies in one possible path of German intervention, and its people have affinities with Russia rather than Germany. Turkey, by long-standing sympathy and coincidence of policy, is an avowed friend of Greece. Therefore between Bulgaria and Turkey, if Russia does not interpose an objection, a practical understanding should be possible, and any league they form should be capable of extension among the peoples earlier grouped in the Balkan Entente. The league under consideration is to be based, if present negotiations are favourably completed, upon a mutual pledge to respect and defend existing frontiers, for a primary qualification of league membership is the avowal of readiness to recognise these frontiers. Should the diplomatic scheme be put into even limited operation, Yugoslavia can be reasonably expected to accept membership, and thus to join in presenting a barrier to Hitler across the northern part of the peninsula. There would be little inducement to dwell upon this prospect if the preliminary negotiations had not reached so promising a stage. They may be hampered yet by Nazi or Fascist intrigue, but the announcement of their progress is undoubtedly a favourable indication.