The Daily News TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1934. DANGERS OVERCOME.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 October 1934, Page 6

The Daily News

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1934. DANGERS OVERCOME.

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As the days pass it becomes more obvious that the' danger of a general political or even more serious upheaval in Southern Europe has been overcome. Last week it seemed possible that the assassination of the King of Yugoslavia might mean the disintegration not only of that triune State but of the three nations, Yugoslavia, Rumania and Czechoslovakia, that make up the “Little Entente,’’ holding close diplomatic relations with France. Had that occurred a blaze might have been enkindled of which no man could foresee the outcome. Nor were the fears of conflagration unfounded. The King was murdered by one of his own subjects, though the miscreants were natives of Croatia, one of the portions of Yugoslavia that has never taken kindly to the kingdom evolved by the peace treaties at the close of the Great War. Croatia desired first of all complete independence. She had been a vassal of Austria, and a very troublesome district to administer with all the resources of the Hapsburg Empire available for the purpose. Failing independence Croatia suggested federation with Serbia' on terms that implied virtual independence. The statesmen of Europe decided otherwise, and Croatia was included in the new kingdom that included the Serb, Croat and Slovene States. On several occasions the Croatian dislike of the new conditions led to serious unrest. The liberal constitution gave ample opportunity for political obstruction, and matters reached an impasse which the murdered king resolved by suspending the Constitution and assuming dictatorial powers. The Croats, however, shared in the advantages obtained by the more effective administration, instituted by the king. The monarch z was personally popular among them, and it appeared likely that in time the three nationalities in Yugoslavia would coalesce politically with advantage to all. In foreign affairs King Alexander took a strong hand. He followed the policy he considered would benefit the Little Entente rather than the interests of his own kingdom alone, and in this he received the hearty support of France. This policy, however, weakened the Croatian desire for federation or complete independence, and the murder of the Foreign Minister of France seems to have been a sinister reminder that French influence is recognised in Croatia as being one of the chief factors in the way of the Croats obtaining the political independence they have so long been seeking. The implications of such revenge might have been farreaching, but the acceptance of Croatian representation on the Regency Council that will govern Yugoslavia during the young king’s minority seems to put aside the fear of civil war in that country. France is regarding the murders as individual crimes, and not as a national affront, and expresses her determination to proceed with the work upon which her late Foreign Minister was engaged when he was assassinated. An understanding between France, Italy, the Little Entente, Greece and Turkey was the plan M. Barthou was trying to develop as a means of keeping the peace and of increasing French influence in European affairs. With that accomplished, and agreement made between Austria and Italy, any expansion of Nazi influence southwards could be checked. The agreements were to maintain existing frontiers, to include facilities for inter-State trading, and to give the Balkan States time enough to accommodate themselves to post-war conditions, particularly in regard to economics. The French plan of an eastern “Locarno” agreement between the Baltic States, Russia, Poland and. Germany was defeated because Germany and Poland could not accept the terms proposed, but in the south the prospects of a Franco-Italian understanding are more hopeful. Italy desires drastic alteration of the Versailles Peace Treaty. The Little Entente would like some modification, but none that will interfere with the frontiers laid down by the treaty. France also is not averse to some amendment, but is fearful lest her security be menaced if the treaty terms are modified. It was in the hope of finding a solution of these difficulties that King Alexander was on his way to Paris, and that the Foreign Minister met him as soon as he landed in France. On more than one occasion in history the sacrifice of life has brought nearer fruition the ideals of the men who suffered death in the cause they had at heart. Public opinion in Yugoslavia, in and in

Italy raises the hope that in this respect history may once more be repeated.