By the time these lines appear in print the rape of Albania will have probably become an accomplished fact. No one for one moment will believe that its seizure is thing but a part of the general scheme of the Dictator states to bring such pressure to bear on the Balkans as to give then complete control of the Mediterr: can, which they will undoubtedly possess if the Democracies do not m e rapidly to per-ect, id conside y arge the ossian pact. That may be a subj future consideration; what is of the present moment are the various reasons for this latest development and their probable immediate effects. After a general view of the various statements which have "een made concerning th reasons the position seem paying your money and taking The German Press blames has happened. "Perfidious about the present situation by working for months to draw Albani within the Britis! sphere of influence, g on the perso: vanity of King Zogu, the Alban while government sought to pit Italy Yugoslavia. That guess is probably just a ocd as I! Piccolo" alleges that n adopting a t! g attitude t Yugoslavia. Patrio-ie Albanians turned to Rome for assistanc while the old, familiar story of the persecution of Italians is thrown in for extra wei with the significant afterthought that this development coincidence with other international events is merely fortuitous.
Signor Gayda, freely alleged to be the mouthpiece of Il Duce, has something more to say He alleges that King Zogu asked the Italia Government for fresh help, and protection and for the despatch of troops to guard cer tain points in Albania. Italy discovered that "her forces would only be required e case of a wild attack by King inst the Yugoslavs towards Kossovo.
The implication is, of course, that Italy has done has been to intervene in Al-inia for the protection of Yugoslavia against Albania, lbania's army consists of 14,117 strong, Yugoslav, strength on mobilization 1,000,000, peace time strength about 124,000. The determination of Italy to protect Yugoslavia from Albanian atta one of the happier features of an alto unbelievable contention. The repercussi abroad have not yet been completel; ed. In the United States, Italy's a been roundly condemned, in Germa been praised as praised it would be. The ritual refrain of the two dictatorships is, quite naturally "Whatever she docs. In the othe the world there has been no little added to eneral condemnation is indignant, and the Moslem world outraged the greater part of th population being Moslem. Greece is alarmed, Yugoslav uneasy, and Rumania in all probability mos anxious. developments of the future depend entirely upon the rapidity with which the Dem bring about an extension of -aggression with pact, inclusion within it, countries those which are the larger proportion of them, Mr. lain has of late shown considerable speed of ction. Will he again demonstrate it? Upon the answer to that questión depends much of what is expected to happen during the next five-and-a-half months between ^V, and the time of the "Peace Party Congress" of September next to which Herr H tier cryptically referred. If the R Berlin Axis can reduce countries on their borders to unarmed agrarian states, existing solely for the purpose of supplying their overlords with raw materials, and foodstuffs this will not ensure an era of peace. merely one in which resort to arms may be more certainly anticipated than ever before The grandiose ambitions of the Dictati will not be satisfied with that, or lea those of Herr Hitler will not be.
The situation, however, is not withen features which justify a degree of optimism. The Balkan states have been aroused to their Own peril They can be more fully expected to resist, if the might of the European democracies is placed deservedly belli them. The attitude of the Moslem world has been indicated to some extent, but if it is shown that the rights of a Moslen majority; in Albania have been prejudiced as the: undoubtedly have been, then all the years, which Italy has spent endeavouring to persuade the Mussulmans that the Italian Cochin is the friend, and not the British Short, have been wasted. That fact should be availed of at the earliest possible moment. There should be no reluctance to do so on the score of any commitments which Great Britain has entered into with Italy on the subject of propaganda. The history of the past few weeks, has shown exactly what reliance is to be placed upon any undertakings entered into by the Dictator states, and the best policy it the present time would be to proceed on ihe assumption that such comm.znents do not exist, or that if they do they have been nullified by those parties who are most likely to protest in the circumstances. There is one other question on which there must be such speculation. Is Yugoslavia next? Is Germany now likely to proceed towards securing that long desired port in the Adriatic? The latest moves seem to indicate that this is not without the bounds of possibility. As matters stand such a step could be faced by not now control of the Straits of Otranto, the only entrance to that sea? The descent upon Albania could never have taken place if Germany had realized her desires for a short route to the Mediterranean, she would never then have permitted it, but Italy has forestalled her, merely showing in a small way, how in the ultimate result.hese dicta-worships trust one another.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.