The Changing Scene In Central Europe Goga's National Christians
RUMANIA WILL STAND BY
THE LITTLE ENTENTE
From Our Central European Correspondent
"SET A NAZI TO CATCH A NAZI" APPEARS TO BE KING CAROL OF RUMANIA'S NEW POLICY.
DREADING THE ADVENT OF RUMANIA'S 100 PER CENT. HITLERITES, THE FORMER IRON GUARD, SHREWD AND ENERGETIC KING CAROL IS WHOLEHEARTEDLY BACKING HIS NEW PREMIER, M. GOGA, HIMSELF A BITTER ANTI-SEMITE WITH PRO-NAZI TENDENCIES.
Goga's National Christians are but a tiny fraction in the Bucharest Parliament, however, and despite a hint of wangled elections to come, Goga may have a rough passage yet.
So far his anti-semitic moves have been mild, but any drastic step may cause a panic.
M. Titulescu, Rumania's one real statesman, has had to leave Rumania in fear of assassination; and Madame Lupescu, King Carol's red-headed, halfJewish friend, has also been advised to seek a more propitious climate.
BETWEEN THE AXIS AND THE LITTLE ENTENTE
Rumania is to recognise Italy's conquest of Abyssinia. Racial ties between Rome and Rumania are to be emphasised. And closer relations with Italy and Germany are keenly anticipated—in Rome and Berlin.
But so far such changes are less striking than was thought might be the case.
Rumania will stand by the Little Entente. Czechoslovakia is known to have no qualms. Support of the League will continue. And the traditional friendship with France is in no way to be impaired.
Heart-burning in Hungary
These developments have caused a little heart-burning in Hungary. There the warmth of Italian overtures to Rumania arc not appreciated. Indeed, many Hungarians are beginning to wonder what has been gained so far from Italian friendship. Economic advantages have been very small and now the new Rome-Bucharest " axis " looks likely to turn Hungarian revisionist dreams into nightmares.
Third Time Lucky Austro-Hungarian relations are now more cordial than ever. The Austrian Chancellor, the author of Austria. Three Times, is endeavouring to extend the hitherto successful policy (not without its dangers) of a certain independence towards Rome and Berlin, Austria is beginning to feel more secure. And a tangible sign of this new attitude in Central Europe is the failure up to now of Italy's efforts to detach Austria and Hungary from the League of Nations.
Nazi Influence Wanes in Czechoslovakia
There are signs of a possible understanding between Germany and Czechoslovakia with a view to ending the German Press attacks. For Nazi influences in Czechoslovakia have suffered a series of reverses of late. Moral scandals in high places and acute personal intrigues have gravely jeopardised the position of Henlein, Czechoslovakia's Nazi No. 1, and his Pan-German
party. "Very Generous . . ."
Moreover Henlein himself is in an unpleasant predicament. In the course of the last two years it has been established that he has spent over 200 days abroad in the course of 14 foreign journeys. And Henlein's standard of living, abroad or at home, is very generous.
Now Czech subjects require a permit to take the necessary foreign currency with them (even the President is not exempt) and the Bank of Czechoslovakia has announced that Henlein has never had any such permit.
Thus it is clear that either Henlein smuggled large amounts of foreign currency over the frontier—a grave offence—or received considerable sums from some person abroad. So far no answer has been provided to this interesting problem and widespread curiosity has been aroused.