Scared

The shape of Italy is a conqueror's boot, and, just across the Adriatic from the "heel" lies, appropriately that sharp spur-wheel, Albania, with which II Duce prods the Balkans (TIME, Dec. 13).

Since Jugoslavia is adjacent to the spur-wheel, ready to be prodded, it was the Jugoslav press of Belgrade which set up a cry last week that Italian officers in Albania are directing mobilization against Jugoslavia and hurrying the building of strategic roads. This charge was repeated by the Parisian press, for France and Jugoslavia are allies. Then King Alexander of Jugoslavia added to the war scare excitement.

Alexander I is one of the few monarchs still potent in affairs of state. He suddenly paid a visit to his father-in-law, King Ferdinand of Rumania. At the same time the French Mediterranean fleet concentrated off Rumania's chief port, Constanta, To excited correspondents it seemed that King Alexander might have asked for and received a French naval demonstration to remind Rumania not to fall in too closely with Premier Mussolini's plans.

If such was the reason for the French demonstration, it came pat to the second; for last week Rumanians were still overjoyed at the support given them by Signer Mussolini against Russia-- (TIME, March 21). So popular grew II Duce in Rumania that last week one of the streets in Bucharest was renamed after him. Rumanian Deputies contributed out of their own pockets to set up a Mussolini statue at Kishinev, chief town of Bessarabia.

Counterblast. If Il Duce was mobilizing Albania against Jugoslavia, he took shrewd measures to cover his tracks and conceal his plans. In London, Berlin, the Italian Ambassadors ostentatiously informed the British and German governments, likewise the press, that Jugoslavia was rapidly mobilizing last week against Albania; but that the Italian Government would bend its every effort toward peace.

The pot had called the kettle black, and the kettle had white-washed itself and called back reproaches at the pot. War tingled iri the Balkan air.

Significance. Though Italians own reputedly 96% of the commercial enterprises on the coast of Jugoslavia facing Italy and hope someday to seize that coast, the outcry of last week was intentionally exaggerated by the outcriers. Italy has assumed by treaty (TIME, Dec. 13) a virtual protectorate over Albania, and is helping--nay, forcing --that little republic to arm against Jugoslavia. Similarly the Jugoslavs are preparing to meet the attack. But last week the status quo was almost certainly one of preparation, not of mobilization. Only an irresponsible overt act on the frontier seemed capable of kindling swift war.

--By ratifying the Anglo-Franco-Italo-Japanese treaty of 1925, upholding Rumania in her possession of the onetime Russian province of Bessarabia, now claimed by the Soviets--though without show of force.