WAR THREATS IN BALKANS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 22 March 1927, Page 9

WAR THREATS IN BALKANS.

European Powers Take Sides. INTERNATIONAL INQUIRY DEMANDED. By Cable —Press Association —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received March 21, 8.30 p.m.) LONDON'. March 21. Belgrade telegrams slate that the Government is so troubled over the .situation that they have assembled Parliament, to consider the crusis. M. Poritch (Foreign Stini.st.er) announced that Jugo-Slavia will demand an international commission to investigate Italy’s allegations. A Paris message states that Ffance is collaborating with Britain in an effort to tine! a solution of the trouble. The Paris correspondent of the “Daily Express’’ states that travellers on the Franco-Italian frontier report feverish activity on both sides. The barracks are crammed with soldiers. 'The Berlin newspapers indicate that Italy i.s Iho aggressor, and alleges she is acting with British encouragement.

ANXIETY IN BRITISH CIRCLES. PREM AT LIRE INTEIIVENTION OPPOSED. WHAT OF THE LEAGUE? By Cable —Press Association —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Gable Association. (Received March 21, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 20. The “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent states: “It would be hard to deny that acute anxiety has been felt in British official circles, concerning the situation. Ministers and experts, during the week-end, have been busily considering the possibilities on the spot, as well a:, external diplomatic intervention from every conceivable angle. Belgrade will certainly be invited to meet the details of the Italian charge. Many arc advocating immediate recourse to the League of Nations, followed by the appointment of a commission of experts to proceed to the danger zone. On the other hand, others feel that intervention now would merely embitter and magnify the feeling, apart from the possibility of failure imperilling the existence of the League. The alternative, which seems vo be favoured by British diplomacy, would appear to be a series of joint concerted despatches from the Great Powers, but the assumption that the Powers are united, as on the occasion of the Bulgar-Greek quarrel, in 1925, may be a dangerous delusion.

ACTIVITY IN DIPLOMATIC CIRCLES. JUGO-SLAVIA OFFERS MILITARY INQUIRY. Ey Cable—Preas Association—Copyrljbt. Atgtrsiian and N.Z. Cable Association, (Received March 21, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, March 21. A semi-official message 6tates that the tension in Italy and Jugo-Slavia lias caused intense activity in the Foreign Ministry, where the German Ambassador conferred with M. Berthelot, in M. Briand’s absenco. It is hoped, however, that it will be unnecessary to put into action tho machinery' of the League of Nations, as the 6tep would exaggerate the existing tension, especially as Jugoslavia, in a spirit of conciliation, offered an inquiry by military attaches, for the purpose of ascertaining whether there really are any military preparation on the AlbanianSerbian border.

ALBANIA PREPARES FOR WAR. STRENGTHENING THE FRONTIER By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. ROME, March 20. “G join ale d’ltaba’s” correspondent at Tirana, states that in face of the alleged military .preparations by JugoSlavia, the Albanian Government has begun defensive measures.. Mountain guns have been sent to the northern frontier, and the authorities are preparing for a large concentration of forces i OUTBURSTS OF PUBLIC OPINION. ITALY’S “BLACK SHIRTS” READY. By Cable —Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cahlo Association. ROME, March 20. The organ of the Fascisti party published the statement: “The Italy of the blackshirts regard with complete calm the frantic agitation of the clique at Belgrade.” The paper proceeds to refer to tho Serbian Camarilla, composed of irresponsible meglomanians, capable of any crime, and cays Italy will not lose her head. Fascist Italy knows whence come the help and counsel given to Belgrade—presumably a reference to the Bolsheviks. Finally the paper emphasises Italy’s desire for peace, but adds thfkt Italy will not take threats lying down. “We no longer indulge in vain words. The slogan, is act in silent*.”

WILL HISTORY REPEAT' ITSELF? DANGER OF FLARE-UP. By Cable —Press Association —Copyright. Australian ant* N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, March 2d. The question asked throughout Euprope to-day is: “Will Jugoslavia repeat history by precipitating another world eonfliot?” Both Italy arid Jugo-Slavia deny that their aims are warlike, yet it is confirmed from various sources what Italy has notified Britain and other nations of her anxiety regarding the massing of Jugo-Slavian troops on the Albanian frontier. This Is the most significant fact in the '.situation. The object ol Jugo-Slavia s militarism is assumed to be the ovcrtniow of the Albanian Government, with which Italy recently concluded an agreement. Italian Comment. The “Gioruale d’ltalia,” quoted yesterday, returns to the subject. This paper’s freedom of discussion is considered remarkable in view of the fact that the whole press of Italy is under Fascist control. The “Gioruale” affirms that as koo.. as the signature to the 3reaiy with Albania was known, Jugo-Slav:a attempted to constitute a dip'omatic front against Italy. The paper adds that the attempt failed completely, and then proceeds to allege that the Social Democratic) organisation cf Freemasonry has now intervened in Jugo-Slavia, in the belie! that it will find weapons to combat the Fascisti regime.

Obviously the basis of this ItalioSerbian dispute is most obscure. The “Giornale d’ltalia,” however, professes that the Serbian objectives are of the cleanest, namely, the occu pation of Northern Albania and Salonika, the subjugation of Bulgaria, and other Balkan States, the inviolability of Macedonia, and the maintenance of Serbian hagemony throughout Jugo-Slavia and the Balkans generally.

Denials from Both Sides. Despite the “Giornale’s” speculations, official quarters at Rome stress that no military steps whatever are being taken as a result of Jugo-Slavian “war preparations.” It is added that Italy's relations with Jugo-Slavia are normal, and there is nothing to justify alarmist reports. The Jugo-Slavia Legation at London denies that Jugo-Slavia is arming or mobilising. Berlin Interested. Berlin is naturally interested, and reliable correspondents affirm that there is no doubt that both Italy and Jugo-Slavia are taking military precautions. The “Taglische Runschau” describes the situation as the giavest, and stresses that an armed conflict between Italy and Jugo-Slavia would inevitably result in another world war. “Deutsche Allgemeine,” which is m close touch with the Foreign Office, says that in the event of war in the Balkans, Germany would remain neutral.

All messages from Rome embody the word “peace,” hut the “Centra' News,” while declaring that official circles are undisturbed, says Rome notes that t'he conditions in Jugoslavia are none to stable and hci resources are limited, and adds that finally official circles are fully alive to the situation, and if an attack upon Albania does occur Italy will he pre pared to deal with it. The “Observer’s” diplomatic correspondent says impartial comment in British quarters is that these reports are another example of diplomatic nerves in Europe. Influence of Big Powers. The correspondent stresses that while big Powers, such as Germany, France, Italy and Britain continue united, disturbances in the Balkans can have local importance only. Nevertheless, cognisance must be taken of these reports, in view of Italy’s military preparedness, and the Balkans’ inflammability, and the fact that cables are working at lull pressure.

“HANDS OFF ALBANIA!” ITALY’S WARNING CALL. By Gable —Preas Association —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, March 20“Hands off Albania” is Italy's warning to Jugo-Slavia, together with •jj, intimation that Italy cannot lemain ueutral if Jugo-Slavia’s warlike aggression continues. This is the most important ascect- of the Balkan squabble to-day. Though the warning was not issued by a formal Note in the ordinary diplomatic manner, it was conveyed by General Bodrero, the Italian Minister at Belgrade, direct to the Jugoslav Foreign Office.

Peaceful Policy. A reliable correspondent quotes an Italian Foreign Office spokesman, that Italy will view interference in Albania as an unfriendly act. It is resolved to continue the peaceful policy, but is nob disposed to endure threats designed to interfere with the present equilibrium in the Balkans. The Italian press sounds the same note, stressing that under no circumstances will Italy withdraw from the maintenance of the internaitional pledge*,. It points out that fortunately both the Albaniian-Italian frontiers will be most unsuitable for warlike operations for more than a month, and expresses a pious liopo that before the snows are melted th© present difficulties will bo dissolved. Meanwhile it is announced from Paris that the French Foreign Office, noting on the Italian Note, is taking diplomatic steps to avoid a rupture. Allies of the Slavs. Aa the ally of Jugo-Slavia, France will, be able to bring strong pressure to hear Should the situation develop Dr. Stresemann, in the capacity of President of the League Council, will be

called on to summon a special meeting.. Already a French wit seas the humour of Germany summoning • gathering with the idea of preventing a conflict involving an ally of France. ANOTHER BALKAN PROBLEM. SOVIET ATTACKS TREATY. By Cable—Press Asspciatipn— popyxight. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, March 20. Tli 0 “Observer’s” Moscow correspondent says the Soviet Note regarding Bessarabia emphasises that th* Italian ratification only cpmplicates a peaceful solution, while making Roumania still more opposed to a fre* plebiscite. Protest meetings are being held in Ukraine, especially as the Soviet republic adjoins Bpssgrabia, which all official maps show as Soviet territory.

(A rebuff for Moscow was contained in the Italian Cabinet’s ratification of the Treaty signed in Paris in 1920, awarding Roumania, the 17,000 square miles of Bessarabia, which Russia took in 1812.)