Sister Souls

Angrier and angrier grew Benito Mussolini last week as that testy old diplomatic hornet from France, M. Louis Barthou, zipped around the Balkans. It is II Duce's policy to keep Austria and Hungary in hopeful dependence upon Italy-- hoping that Rome will give both countries economic assistance and help obtain revision of the post-War treaties which brand them as beaten nations cramped within reduced frontiers. Everywhere Foreign Minister Barthou went he declared that France will block any such revision. He scoffed, by implication, at Italy's power to bring an altered settlement or substantial economic assistance. In Rome the blood pressure of Benito Mussolini rose. But what could II Duce do? Suddenly in the middle of the night he had an idea.

The first squadron of the Italian Battle Fleet was lying quietly at anchor with no immediate plans when an excited radio operator rushed into the presence of Admiral Cantu and three Rear Admirals who were swapping yarns aboard his flagship. Instantly Admiral Cantu began to splutter orders. The Rear Admirals were piped off to their ships, engine room lights winked full speed ahead and Italy's first squadron tore for the mountain-jabbed coast of King Zog's Albania.

Without firing the customary salute, without notice of any kind to King Zog, the Italian squadron of 19 war boats entered the Albanian harbor of Durazzo and cast anchor. Scared Albanians begged particulars which Admiral Cantu, somewhat embarrassed, seemed unable to give. "The relations between Italy and Albania are so friendly," he asserted, "that there is nothing unusual about our visit, sudden though it is."

This assurance was repeated by Italy's Minister to King Zog but Albanian Foreign Minister Jafer Gila, hopping mad, protested: "Only the immediate departure of the Italian fleet can remove the bad impression caused by so many warships!"

Since orders are emphatically orders when they come from Il Duce, Admiral Cantu and his 19 ships stayed on. Vexed Paris editors pointedly recalled Wilhelm II's high-handed dispatch of the warship Panther to Agadir in 1911 as a threat to France. The Italian demonstration at Durazzo apparently was II Duce's answer to M. Barthou who had just told a madly cheering Rumanian Chamber of Deputies in Bucharest that under the post-War treaties "Peace is restored to you and your frontiers! They will remain yours. You should know that if a square centimetre of your territory is touched France will be with you!"

In Hungary, which has never admitted Rumania's right to Transylvania, indignation at this sting from Hornet Barthou grew so intense that the Hungarian Government had to assign troops to guard his train as it crossed Hungary. Before leaving Rumania, which he lately induced to recognize Soviet Russia (TIME, June 18), M. Barthou was presented with the first Rumanian passport valid for travel among Bolsheviks, a flattering passport made out to "Louis Barthou, Rumanian citizen" in recognition of honorary citizenship just voted him by the Chamber of Deputies. According to Citizen Barthou of France and Rumania, his two countries are now "sister souls."

In Jugoslavia, which refused to join Czechoslovakia and Rumania in recognizing the Soviet Union, resolute King Alexander persisted in arguing this point last week with M. Barthou. His Majesty, often menaced by Croat and Slovene autonomists, knows that in Jugoslavia's Army there is no stronger bulwark to his Crown than the large contingent of exiled White Russian troops. More than 300,000 White Russians of both sexes are, in effect, King Alexander's loyal subjects. It was all very well for Paris to have made a great political entente with Moscow, but what about those White Russians?

Fresh from reputedly lecturing King Carol of Rumania for two hours like a Dutch uncle, M. Barthou wisely did not take that tone with King Alexander. He agreed to "study" the White Russian problem and His Majesty made a tentative appointment to confer on the subject in Paris next autumn. Tension eased in Jugoslavia and tightened in Hungary as the Barthou visit ended in fresh pledges to maintain the post-War treaties. Cried Jugoslav Premier Uzunovich: "We have indeed contributed our share to establish the status quo. In the War our guest M. Barthou lost a son and I two brothers!"

As Hornet Barthou zipped back to Paris across Hungary and Austria only extreme precautions saved his life. Just after his train passed through Bludenz, Austria, a bomb ripped up the rails. "I said nothing which should offend," tartly remarked the French Foreign Minister. "I am for honesty and against the camouflaging of one's real opinions."

While students burned Hornet Barthou in effigy in Budapest, spunky little Austrian Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss made much of an invitation he had received from Benito Mussolini whose 19 war boats remained anchored at Durazzo. Il Duce had invited not only Herr Dollfuss but also Frau Dollfuss and the children to meet and splash with him soon at an Italian seaside resort.

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