CENTRAL EUROPE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19041, 15 June 1936, Page 5

CENTRAL EUROPE

MOVES & COUNTER-MOVES

FEAR OF GERMAN MIGHT

LONDON, May 31

Central European affairs have been attracting much attention during the week.

The Berlin representative of Tho Times says that events in Austria are being followed with great interest in the German press. The Nazi opinion is that although Germany lias no immediate cause to intervene, the position lequires watching. There is reason to believe that in the event of foreign intervention in support of the Austrian Chancellor, Dr. Schuschnigg, Nazis would feel it a duty to help Germans in Austria against their so-called oppressors. That does not mean that Gei - - many contemplates an armed descent on Austria, but it does mean that the Nazis may not hesitate to match the diplomatic activity of others with their own propagandist activity and the renewal of active support for Austrian malcontents. If others leave Austria alone Germany will probably bo content to do likewise. It is noted in Berlin that Prince Starhemberg's visit to Signor Mussolini brought him cold comfort.

There was also much interest this week in the visit of the Polish Foreign Minister, M. Beck, to Belgrade. Poland, owing to her geographical position, is compelled to temporise, both with Germany and Russia, and at the same time continue her alliance with France and Yugoslavia. Her policy is still declared to be based on alliances with France and tho Little Entente. M. Beck's visit raised speculation regarding the doubts both Poland and Yugoslavia feel about tho benefits of past policy in view of German military might. After tho conferences in Belgrade it was announced that both had agreed to collaborate in constructive policies as independent countries. Thoy must not allow others to decide about them without their active participation. M. Beck urged early exchanges regarding the new structures of Europe. Tho Vienna correspondent of The Times says that interests overlap and intercept at many points. In the tangle in Eastern and South-eastern Europe moves and counter-moves are almost inexplicable, but recent conferences show a desire to hold together under the menace of a, coming storm. Tho Polish-Yugoslavia conversations show how the smaller Slates, seeing their inadequate counterpoise to the military might of Germany, are torn by conflicting anxieties which, in the hist resort, resolve themselves to a desire to be on the right side. While Czechoslovakia and Rumania still hold steadily to their French policy, Hungary is torn between Italy and Germany. On the other hand, "Poland anil Yugoslavia represent a school of thought which fundamentally trusts AngloFrench co-operation, but is perturbed by tho present lack of it, and stands for greater independence and freedom of action in foreign policy, at least until such time as tho Western Powers overcome their present period of indecision.