The Daily News. THURSDAY; JANUARY 18, 1923. ANOTHER WAR CLOUD.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 January 1923, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY; JANUARY 18, 1923. ANOTHER WAR CLOUD.

The news that serious trouble appears to be brewing in the Balkans will hardly cause surprise, the wonder being that so much time has elapsed without another upheaval in that quarter. From earliest times in historic record the Balkans’ people have been noted for their love of war, which probably emanated from the Dacians and the Getae, who were renowned for their disdain of life. Ovid referred to them as rough, uncouth barbarians whose hand was always prompt to use the murderous dagger carried at the belt, and states there was not one of them who did not carry his quiver and bow, with arrows dipped in the venom of the viper; “with them justice cedes to force and the law bends and disappears finder the sword, which is their instrument of justice.” The Bulgars, since . the closing years of the fifth century, when they overpowered the Slavic tribes, have always been prominent in civil and other wars. It was not until 1674 that Russia, then emerging as an accredited nationality from among the hordes of the East, was so far assured of its national possessions as to begin to have national ambitions, and it, is worthy of note that a petition presented to the Russian monarch Alexis by Moldavia and Wallachia, in that year, for protection against Ottoman oppression, was the first step towards a rapprochement between Rumania and Russia, and was the origin of what is known as the “Eastern” question, which is to-day a constant source of trouble and turmoil. Moreover, it gave rise to the day-dream of Russia —the acquisition of Constantinople, in order that “the frozen bear of the North could thaw his members politic on the genial shores and in the more genial waters of the Aegean Sea.” There is no question that the ancient Bulgars lived in •war and for war, and in that respect they are to-day the same as were their forefathers twelve centuries ago. For over a thousand years Russia has been a factor in the history of Bulgaria, and a potent influence in determining the policy and fate of the country. In the light of the facts mentioned above it is possible to ' form a clearer conception of what the latest development in Russo-Bul-garian intrigue means. According to the recent statement made by the London Morning Post’s Belgrade correspondent an agreement has been reached between the Russian Soviet and Bulgaria, to the effect that, if war breaks out, Bulgaria will remain neutral “until a propitious moment, when she will assist Russia with irregulars, Russia attacking Bes-_ sarabia across the Dobrudja, Bulgaria attacking Thrace, and, it success crowns these operations?, Bulgaria is to receive Thrace, while Constantinople goes to Russia, thus materialising tKe latter’s day dream of old. With two such powerful incentives for action, it can readily be perceived that the position “may easily become explosive.” The state of affairs in the Near East at the present time is such as to hold out prospects of further troubles, while Soviet Russia appears to be bound to find employment for its armed forces where plunder is to be found. Hungary being “down and out,” the Bulgars doubtless envisage a golden opportunity for indulging in their favourite pursuit of warfare, while Greece Naturallv the Little Entente is see the Turks sent to the wall, may be content to stand by and

alarmed at the threatened developments, for if Bulgaria were allowed to grow in military power, the Balkans would once again be enveloped in the toils of a military struggle just as they are settling down to a new era of peace and progress. It is because the Balkans are subject to periodic upheavals that the menace of further trouble makes a deeper impression than would be the case elsewhere, and on that, account the position of affairs takes on a graver aspect. The Great Powers are not only warweary, but have their hands full, while Soviet Russia seems bent on mischief wherever she can find an opportunity that offers an inducement. Viewing the situation from all aspects its appearance is certainly far from pleasant. Nor will the solution of the trouble be easy. All we can do is to hope for the best and be prepared for emergencies.!