Problem in Division

The three latest fugitive bigwigs to be chased out of their country by the rolling swastika fled first last week to hard-pressed Athens, then to Jerusalem. They were 17-year-old King Peter of Yugo slavia, his 22-day Premier, General Dusan Simovitch, and Dr. Vladimir Matchek, Vice Premier and Croat Peasant Leader. They were 17-year-old King Peter of Yugo slavia, his 22-day Premier, General Dusan Simovitch, and Dr. Vladimir Matchek, Vice Premier and Croat Peasant Leader. About all they took with them was the grim satisfaction that Adolf Hitler will have a tough time making that hetero geneous land make sense. They knew because they had tried to.

In the partitioning of his new province on the Adriatic Sea, Hitler must consider as many as six claims. Even before the war had officially ended, the Axis jackals had begun to snarl over the latest spoils.

> To Germany went the northwest province of Slovenia, which with its German minority had been until 1918 part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

> Hungary, Rumania and Bulgaria each claimed and might get a share of territory in the north, east and south.

In gratitude for their pro-Axis campaign of terrorism. Hitler deeded to Croat extremists under Dr. Ante Pavelitch* a Croat State that will be about as free as the "independent" State of Slovakia.

What Italy would get remained a mystery. By her work in the war, she had earned nothing, but it seemed likely that for propaganda purposes Mussolini must be given something. While Virginio Gayda was pettishly scolding Swiss newspapers for belittling Italy's contribution to the victory, Italian troops entered two South Dalmatian ports and the Roman press hopefully remembered Venetian colonies in Dalmatia 150 years ago. But Dalmatia, with its excellent Adriatic ports, belonged to Austria more recently and is a favorite German vacation resort.

What the Nazis planned for the stubborn Serbs they did not disclose. But whether there would be a puppet state or a new province of the Reich, it was certain that Germany's hand would be heavy upon them because: 1) the Germans blame the Serbs for Yugoslav resistance; 2) Germany needs Serbia's copper and foodstuffs. They would probably not get much food from Serbia this year, thanks to war damage and the dislocation of agriculture which the German push has caused in all Balkan countries.

In true Balkan fashion, one excitement was leading to another. As Yugo slavia fought its last battles, word came of border clashes between Rumania and Hungary over the portions of Transylvania handed to Hungary last year by the Axis, and of a threatened coup d'etat in Rumania by the irascible Iron Guard. It sb looked as though Hitler was due to discover that even a smashing victory would not keep the Balkens quiet.

* Sentenced (in absentia) to death in France for instigating the assassination of King Alexander in Marseille in 1934, Dr. Pavelitch will probably be pardoned. Last week, there was already a movement afoot to free three accomplices, now serving prison terms.

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