Evening star. [volume], February 04, 1940, Page A-13, Image 13

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC

                
Balkan Talks Seen
Affecting Effort of
Allies for New Front
Determined Yugoslav and
Italian Stand May Bar
Attack Upon Rumania
By MAJ. GEORGE
, FIELDING ELIOT.
This is certainly too early for any
predictions as to the outcome of
the Balkan entente conference at
Belgrade. The mere mention of the
fact there are 200 assorted cor
respondents of varying nationality
and competence present (and 10
times that number of agents, spies,
“observers" and whatnot) must give
* pause to those who seek to glean
grains of knowledge from advance
reports, guesses and supposition.
Even when the official com
munique at the close of the confer
ence has been made public, it will
still remain likely that the really
important decisions have been
reached behind closed doors, and will
be learned, if at all, only when their
results become apparent.
Yet therr are certain basic mili
tary considerations which it may be
well to examine now, which may
aid in interpreting the news from
Belgrade, and the subsequent course
of events in the Balkans.
First, it must recalled that as a
true Balkan conference, the Bel
grade meeting is incomplete. Neither
Bulgaria nor Hungary are members
of the entente. Both are "irre
dentist” nations, both fostering ter
ritorial claims against Rumania in
particular. Both have been re
armed by Germany. In Bulgaria,
Russian influence is also very strong;
Italian diplomacy has been active
In both countries. Neither, however,
has any really vital dispute with
Yugoslavia.
Two Key Nations.
Hungary’s geographical position
covers Rumania frpm a German
approach, Bulgaria’s prevents allied
Turklsh aid from coming overland
to that country. The attitude of
both is important; the attitude of
either might be decisive in a future
Balkan crisis.
Neftt, the importance of Italy’s
viewpoint must be taken into ac
count. With the completion (prob
ably this spring) of four additional
battleships, the Italian Navy be
comes a factor which, even more
seriously than before, must weigh
with all powers interested in Medit
teranean affairs. Its presence
squarely athwart the line of com
munications between Great Britain
and France and their Middle East
forces and allies (Turkey and Egypt)
may well prove disturbing, to say
the least, considering that already
the activities of German raiders
have caused the withdrawal to the
Atlantic of capital units of the
British Mediterranean fleet. ,
Certainly this Italian Navy will
lend great weight to Italy’s policy—
and bargaining power. Italian
policy may be considered as anti
Russian, as definitely hostile to any
extension of Russian influence into
the Balkan area. But it is not ipso
> facto anti-German; indeed, the re
port that Germany, in return for
economic favors, is prepared to
guarantee Rumania against Russian
attack may. if true, be partially due
to Italian influence or a desire to
placate Italian opinion. Italian in
fluence is particularly strong in
Yugoslavia, whose coast line is com
manded by the Italian fleet and
which has two land frontiers with
Italy, though both are mountainous
and difficult. It has been reported
that Italy. Yugoslavia and Hungary
have a common military "under
standing."
Yugoslavia has an army excellent
In quality and human material, well
trained and well commanded, though
deficient in modem equipment. Its
terrain is much more difficult than
Poland's or thai^much of Rumania's.
It would not be an easy or a safe
country for Germany to attack.
Yugoslavia Might Aid Allies.
On the other hand it could not
Itself attack Germany unless as
sured of immediate help and sup
port. Consulting only public senti
ment, Yugoslavia would probably be
ready to fight for the allies; but
there are many other considerations
to be taken into account.
Certainly, of all the Balkan na
tions, the most immediately dan
gerous position is that of Rumania.
If Rumania were to be invaded by
Germany (through or with Hun
gary or Russia or both) she might
resist for a time, but could not hope
to do so successfully for very long,
unless helped from the outside.
Turkish and allied help might reach
Rumania either overland, through
Bulgaria or by sea or by air.
It is possible that sufficient pres
sure might be put on Bulgaria by
Turkey to induce the Bulgarians to
Jet such aid go through, since it
is hard to see how Germany could
help Bulgaria immediately, and since
the Bulgarian Army is in no pres
ent condition to fight Turkey. As
for Russian help to Bulgaria, that
must come either through Rumania
(a matter again of time and un
certainty) or by sea, which would
be impossible in face of the Turkish
fleet with even modest allied re
inforcement.
The Russian Black Sea fleet is
probably, all factors considered, in
ferior to that of Turkey alone in
fighting strength. It could neither
assure the movement by sea of
Russian reinforcements to Bulgaria,
nor prevent the movement by sea
of allied or Turkish aid to Ru
mania.
It takes time, however, to load
troops on transports (presuming the
latter to be available in sufficient
numbers) and to move them across
the water and disembark them at
ports of such limited capacity as
those of Rumania—especially under
air attack.
This time factor, in the problem
under consideration, is of vital im
portance. It may well be deter
minative of Germany’s course. For
it may be definitely assumed that
Germany will not become involved
in any military adventure in the
Balkan; which she cannot be cer
tain of bringing to a swift and vic
torious conclusion with decidedly
limited forces. It would be on*
thing to quickly overrun Rumania
with 20 or 30 divisions. It would b*
another to become involved in a
long, desperate struggle with a
Turko - Rumanian combination
backed by reinforcements from th«
allies’ middle-eastern armies. Th*
latter result might well prove such
a drain on German strength as
fatally to weaken her position in
the west.
Germany took great care—and
some risk—to make sure of avoid
ing such a lengthy involvement in
Poland. She is hardly likely delib
erately to invite, under more diftl
cult conditions, a similar involve
ment in Rumania. But it may b<
well to note that just as Russia pro
vided the “reinsurance” which mad*
doubly certain the result of the
Polish campaign, so Russia is in s
position to do likewise in Rumania
A joint German-Russian attack
on that country would have every
chance of establishing Itself firmly
mmriTir i.
along the Danube before Turkey and
the allies could land any appreci
able forces on Rumanian soil or
overcome % Bulgarian resistance
which might, if thus assured of
early and powerful aid, put up a
desperate fight. What neither na
tion could perhaps safely attempt
alone, both together would have a
far better chance of accomplish
ing.
The one situation which might
check such an attempt—might not
only defeat it. but would be likely
to overawe the Bulgarians—would
be a determined stand on the part of
Yugoslavia, backed by Italy, against
it. In collaborating with Russia in
an invasion of Rumania, Germany
would have to run the risk of In
viting active Italian hostility. Thus
the Balkan situation remains con
fused and uncertain, subject to the
interplay of many forces and many
interests, with the military factors
largely dependent on political ad
justments. Rumania’s position, in
particular, is not a happy one, but
then neither is Bulgaria’s.
Of one thing we can be certain—
both at Belgrade and at Rome, the
allies and the Germans are striving
desperately for advantage. The de
cisions to be taken at Belgrade, and
their results, may well determine
whether the allies will succeed in
opening up a new eastern front
giving scope for offensive operations
against Germany, as they undoubt
edly desire to do. If they accom
plish this, they have taken a long
stride forward toward victory.
(Coprrlsht. 1840. New York Tribune, Ine.)
Girl Students Amiss
On Economic Terms
Mi the Associated Preu.
ROCKFORD, 111.. Feb. 3.—Prof.
Meno Lovenstein of the Rockford
College faculty asked students to de
fine a number of economic terms.
Some of the girls came up with:
Fixed capital — stationary city
where the Governor lives.
Cumulative stock—100,000 guinea
pigs.
Elasticity of demand — woman's
prerogative.
Latent competition—lying down
on the Job.
Mary Carolyn Davies, Poet,
Found Sick and Destitute
By the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, Feb. 3—A dozer
years ago Mary Carolyn Davies
wrote poems that heaped gold upon
her, and she drank the wine of pub
lic praise. Today she was too 111 to
write. Her purse was empty and
she had no food.
The poet-novelist was found sick
and emaciated In a bleak little hall
bedroom, packed with manuscripts
and little else.
Almost hysterical because her
plight had become public knowledge,
she said she still had poems In her
heart but not quite the strength
just now—to make them come out.
"I thought I’d say nothing,” she
said. "I wanted to keep going—to
fight it out by myself. I've licked
other things. I can beat this.”
Doctors said the poet is suffering
from anemia. Her neighbors say
she has too little food.
Illness of her mother several years
ago followed by her own Illness
gnawed her resources away and
slowed her facile pen—she once
turned out enough verse to keep
six stenographers busy—until now
she depends on home relief for
$3.65 a week rent and $250 weekly
for food and medicine.
She said she would fight back,
and those who thumbed through
her poems today believed her, be
cause, they found this:
“I am alive and I am young,
There is gladness on my tongue,
And my lips are red.”
First-Aid Corps to Meet
The Emergency First-Aid Corps of
the Arlington County Chapter,
American Red Gross, will meet at 8
pm. Tuesday at 2606 South Lynn
street, Arlington, Va.
ADVERTISEMENT.
Joint-Esse
For RHEUMATIC PAIN
When rheumatism-arthritis settles In
your Joints and causes throbbing, pain
or misery, Just remember that Joint
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relief In accessible localities from Just
such torture. Even in persistent cases.
Just try rubbing on Joint-Ease for quick
relief. Joint-Ease is a clean, penetrating
preparation. Always remember tnat
when Joint-Ease starts to work. Joint
misery starts out — quick! Ask for
Joint-Ease and take notning else.
NOTE — For free sample writ*
Joint-Ease, tt-C St, HaUoweU, Malm*
IEttablithtJ 1898
OUIS ABRAHAMS
OHS ON JEWELRY
_ S2*a K. L At*. N.B.
Jk Cash for Your Old Gold
■■_711 O gt N.W.
ALL MAHOGANY
Colonial Reproductions
from which you may make up
your own bed room suite
ALL SPECIALLY REDUCED NOW
There are more than fifty pieces in this Colonial Bedroom Group
from which you may choose only the pieces you need to make up your
own individual bedroom suite. Buy a single piece, if you like, or a
roomful. Every piece is specially lowered in price for the February
Sale. You will love these mahogany reproductions and enjoy making
up your own room ensemble. Prices of pieces illustrated follow below.
(a) HIGH BOY—34 inches* wide;74 inches tall; all mahogany; solid
mahogany cabriole legs; sale price -$79.50
(b) NIGHT TABLE —two drawers,sol id mahogany pedestal base, glass
drawer pulls; a charming piece; sale price-$26.75
(e) POWDER TABLE—36* inches wide; solid mahogany legs and in
laid; mirror and lid drops down to make table top-$49.95
(d) SALEM CHEST—37 inches wide; four drawers; all mahogany;
solid mahogany cabriole legs; sale price-$57.25
(•) DRESSER COMPLETE—all mahogany with mirror; (base only
$49.50), (mirror only $26.75); complete-$76.25
(f) POSTER BED—all mahogany; a lovely bed with quaint Colonial
turnings; sale price-$42.75
(g) DRESSER AND MIRROR—serpentine front; all mahogany; ball
and claw legs (base only $62.50) (mirror $22.25); complete,
$84.75
(h) HIGH BOY—all mahogany; 59 Vi inches tall; 35 inches wide
overall; sale price- _$69.75
(i) VANITY COMPLETE—full vanity dresser of all mahogany; 48
inches wide; with mirror; sale price-$79.75
(j) CHEST-ON-CHEST—34 inches wide; 573A inches tall; a spacious
| piece; all mahogany; sale price -$79.50
(k) DOUBLE BED—tall reeded solid mahogany posts; a charmingly
designed bed; sale price-$42.75
(l) NIGHT STAND—all mahogany; quaint spiral turned legs; one
^ drawer; sale price_$19.25
*
• A -
.
M.
MAYER & CO.j
Seventh Street Between D and E I
A HOUSE OF LIFETIME FURNITURE I
_