Toward a New Central Europe

AMERICAN INTERESTS AND OBLIGATIONS
IN THE DANUBIAN BASIN

ALBERT WASS

WHEN we talk about the interests and obligations of a nation, our concept of the nation is that of a corporate unit of human society. It does not, therefore, include the self-centered interests and obligations of private individuals, but includes only the interests and obligations of the corporate body called a nation.

It must be made clear, however, that nations are subject to the same ethical and economic rules as are the private individuals, and in the event that these rules are disregarded, the nation as a unit must suffer the same consequences. The laws of cause and effect apply to the corporate body of the nation in the same way they apply to the individual, and the chain reactions of this law must similarly apply.

The present political and economic situation of our globe proves beyond cavil the validity of this thesis. Under the influence of hate, prejudice, misunderstandings and ignorance, some of the bigger nations have used their power to destroy well-adjusted and well-balanced geographical and economic units throughout the world. This has resulted in confusion, misery and permanent unrest.

No matter how powerful these nations might be, sooner or later they will have to suffer from the consequences of the situations which they have created. Some of these nations are already doing so. Our globe is shrinking day by day, under the new concepts of science which are forcing the human race into a closer coexistence, in which every nation, small or large, must share the mutual responsibilities of the globe. No nation, no matter how powerful, can exclude itself any more from the community of mankind. Any nation that expects to keep a leading position within this community must realize all its interests and all its obligations. Otherwise it will not be able to maintain its position on this globe.

The United States of America is still today the most powerful nation in the community of the nations. This great country must also make a clear accounting of its assets and liabilities, its interests and obligations, within and outside of its frontiers.

55

This study will deal only with a small fragment of these interests and obligations; namely, with those concerning the Danubian Basin.

The problems involving that part of the globe may seem to many Americans as far distant and unimportant. Nevertheless, it would be a vital mistake to disregard them. For, as has been pointed out previously, the rapid shrinking of our globe through the advancements of science not only eliminates the distances, but also increases the effects of political and economic blunders which have been caused either by ignorance or negligence, or both.

Through the evolution of history, nations have established themselves under the influence of geographical necessities Along with the advancement of mankind, these geographical units gave place to economic units as the basic principle on which political units were built.

The first successful economic unit in the Danubian Basin was the Hungarian Kingdom, which brought peace, culture and prosperity to that part of the world from the 11th to the 16th century when the dynamic expansion of the Ottoman Empire destroyed this unit, condemning the entire population of the Danube Basin to an extreme misery that lasted for two centuries. The economic balance was restored only two hundred years later by the Habsburg Empire, while the political balance has never completely recovered since, except perhaps for a few decades between l865 and 1910. These forty-five years of comparative political freedom and high economic upswing are regarded by many historians as the "Golden Age" of the Danube Basin.

Disregarding here the political handicaps of the system, the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy seems to be the most successful economic unit the Danube Basin has ever experienced.

After World War I, the political aspirations of certain nationalistic groups, prejudice and ignorance on the part of the victors, dismantled this economic unit, and created a number of small countries supposedly based on the Wilsonian doctrine of self-determination, but in reality forcing more than eight million people under the chauvinistic oppression of neighboring nations. Such an unhealthy atmosphere of hate and mutual distrust followed that any effort of readjustment and reconciliation was made impossible. Not until the brutalities of the Russian occupation and the sufferings caused by an inhuman totalitarian regime had molded the people of different tongues into brothers again, could the idea of a peaceful Danubian unity be launched again successfully.

Today the Danubian Basin is ready for such readjustment and reconciliation, and it is only a question of time when the totalitarian system they endure will be brushed off, giving place to the will of the people. When this time comes, and the Danubian Basin, as a new economic and perhaps political unit emerges on the scene, it will be

56

extremely important which way they turn, and who will be the one that reaches out to them with the first hand.

Once in possession of its independence, there seem to be three possibilities for the Danubian Basin to seek economic contacts. One is Western Europe, the second is Russia and the third possibility is the United States of America.

Due to the fact that the main productivity of the Danubian Basin is still in the field of agriculture, it seems natural that Western Europe will try hard to draw this new potential into the orbit of its Common Market. However, due to present affiliation and contacts, Russia will have a good chance, too, in keeping the already existing economic ties, especially if Russia happens to go through the same political process at the same time and emerges on the scene as a free federation of politically independent republics.

In either case, we must underline the fact that there is more in the potential of the Danubian Basin than a mere exchange of agricultural products for industrial products. First, it represents a still not fully discovered and evaluated source of various important raw materials, such as oil, uranium and many others. Second, it has the political potential of more than fifty million people, which can shift the balance of power on the European scene from one side to another, or can keep the powers well balanced by its neutrality. This neutrality, however, will occur only in the third case; namely, if the hand that reaches out first to help the Danubian Basin is that of the United States of America.

There is no possibility within the framework of this article to enter into all the details of the manifold economic benefits that could mutually arise from such a relationship between the United States and the Danubian Basin. However, it cannot be doubted by any clearthinking economist that American aid to the development of this most neglected part of Europe would not only open up almost unlimited possibilities for the inhabitants of that region, but at the same time it could also supply the American industry with new markets and raw materials.

Therefore, an active American interest in the Danubian Basin would be fully justified and not based on negative qualities alone. If either Germany or Russia should happen to be the nation which pulls this new potential factor into its sphere, this would also mean an increase of their political influence and again upset the balance of power in Europe.

While speaking of economic prospects, we must not forget those of a political nature. The Danubian Basin has always been referred to as the "Power keg of Europe." The reason for this combustive quality was not its economic, but its political structure. The only way to eliminate the danger of future frictions is to find a solution that solves these political problems with justice and fairness to every

57

nationality involved. Every sign indicates that such a solution is not only possible, but is being worked out in careful detail, and only awaits the end of today's totalitarian oppression in order to become a reality. How much help America gives to the realization of these vitally important solutions will greatly influence any further relations.

As was mentioned in the beginning, there are not only interests, but also obligations involved. During the last fifty years the United States reached twice deep into the lives of the people of the Danubian Basin. First, they helped create a series of small countries unable to survive on their own, and which as a result, were free prey to any neighbor having political power and aspirations. Hitler's Germany could never have grown into such a power if the problems of the Danubian Basins had been solved with wisdom and good will after World War I.

As a result of the situation created by the Versailles treaties, the nations of the Danubian Basin were forced into World War II against their will. Leaflets which were dropped by American airplanes and American broadcasts promised independence and free elections were the people of the Danubian Basin to surrender to the Russian Army. These promises were never kept, just as twelve years later during the Hungarian uprising the promises made to the people behind the Iron Curtain were not backed up by the American government. All this adds up to a huge moral obligation which the United States of America owes the Danubian nations, and to forget about these obligations would not only be a dark page in American history, but would also result in an increasing distrust in the integrity of the American government and the system it represents. It would be ridiculous to assume that powerful nations could not be harmed by distrust in the hearts of millions, a distrust which has been created by its policies.

In World War I America helped destroy the economic and political balance of the Danubian Basin. In World War II America aided the Communist conspiracy in taking possession of the Danubian Basin and forcing Danubian nations under such brutal oppression as they have never before experienced in history. These facts cannot be and must not be disregarded.

America's future relations with Central and Southeastern Europe depend on the fulfillment of these obligations.

Austrians, Hungarians, Croatians, Slovaks, Serbs, Bulgarians, and Rumanians have always maintained an admiration for America, for its political system, its way of life, its economy. In spite of all the latest disappointments, this admiration still exists. But it is entirely up to the United States whether or not this asset will be turned in the future a harmonious and productive relationship and built into a bulwark of world peace.

58

Toward a New Central Europe