Yugoslavia, Trieste, Austria
The ForeigeSecretary's visit to Yugoslavia has plainly been of great importance in drawing the single independent European Communist State closer to the free countries which are united in the rejection of Russian imperialism. The identification of Yugoslavia with the Western world has become more explicit. But what we have not heard yet is whether Mr. Eden succeeded in persuading Marshal Tito that the time has come to bring to an end the quarrel between Yugoslavia and Italy over Trieste. It must be clear to the statesmen of both sides that the continued refusal to compromise is a source of weakness in Mediterranean security. The settlement once and for all between Italy and Yugoslavia of Trieste's political status is also of the greatest interest to Austria, whose economic interest in the port is infinitely more real than the political interests of either Yugoslavia or Italy. The next stage in Mr. Eden's European journey took him from Belgrade to Vienna, where the President, Dr. Korner, welcomed his visit as a token of sym- pathy for Austria in her present helplessness and frustration. It is to be hoped that Mr. Eden had some comforting news concerning Trieste to pass on to him. But Austria's greatest desire is to see the removal of the strangling irritation of occu- pation by the troops of four countries, and there is no sign that agreement over the treaty is any nearer. The latest Anglo- French-American Note to Moscow proposed that the deputies of the four Powers should meet in London on September 29th. It is still unanswered. Mr. Eden's visit will at least have assured the Austrians that Britain has not forgotten their interests in the seemingly endless manoeuvres.
