2 FEBRUARY 1934, Page 1

Vienna to Angora ', Though Germany's anniversary day passed off

Without the half-expected Nazi outbreak in Austria, the impression tliat Dr. Dollfuss is fighting a losing battle gains ground. Herr Hitler has given new assurances against any external aggression, but if the Nazis in Austria itself gained control, and a similar tnovcm2nt made headway, as it almost certainly would, in Hungary, the importance of an agreement such as is projected between the Balkan States would be greatly increased. An article in a recent issue of The Spectator showed Vienna as the key to Germany's expansion (on approved pre-War lines) to the south-cast. A Balkan bloc, in which Rumania, Jugoslavia, Bulgaria and Greece were partners, would set a definite geographical limit to that development. Unfortunately so complete an agreement as that in the immediate future is improbable, -for Bulgaria has obvious reasons for hesitation about signing a non-aggression pact which would mean acquiescence in her present frontiers. But there has been a marked relaxation of tension in the Balkans, and .the prospect is that Yugoslavia, Rumania, Greece and Turkey will sign the pact, with the door left wide open for Bulgaria when she cares to come in.