The Balkan Entente Conference
It would be a mistake to expect spectacular results from the conference of the Balkan Entente about to open in Belgrade. The members are Turkey, Greece, Yugo_ slavia and Rumania ; Bulgaria, with her territorial claims unsatisfied, is unfortunately not one of them. The Yugoslav 'Foreign Minister is reported as having said that the conference is not meeting in view of any immediate foreign danger, and so will not declare any form of defensive attitude, or contemplate the creation of any sort of bloc directed against a third party. Yet all of them must be acutely aware of immediate danger from economic pressure by ,Germany, and the ever-present danger of actual aggression by Germany or Russia or both. There are many influences directed to the creating of a close understanding within a group of countries which, together, would be safe, but divided are in the greatest peril. Italy, having economic and political interests of her own in the Balkans, has been working for a peaceful understanding between Hungary and Rumania. Turkey has established friendly relations with Bulgaria, with whom Yugoslavia also is on good terms.
The main difficulty is Rumania, who would come to terms at once with Bulgaria if she would cede to her the southern Dobrudja, but fears that that would expose her to territorial claims from Hungary and Russia. The movement towards unity is slow, and cannot be expected to lead to much at the conference. But the mere fact that the conference is meeting is not without value.
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