The Treaty which has been arranged between Czecho- Slovakia and
France seems to be, as we read in the " London Letter " of the Manchester Guardian, in the nature of a regional understanding. It is not an ordinary military convention. The London correspondent of the Manchester Guardian says that when President Masaryk and Dr. Benes visited Paris in October much pressure was brought to bear on them to agree to a military alli- ance. The Czecho-Slovak statesmen refused, but it was arranged that Dr. Benes should return to Paris towards the end of the year and discuss a compromise. On behalf of Czecho-Slovakia it is now declared that the Treaty is not of the same kind as the Franco-Polish Treaty, as it makes no stipulation for military assistance, but resembles the Treaties which Czecho-Slovakia. has already made in Central Europe, and will be acceptable to the League of Nations. We must add, however, that the Times has taken a much more serious view of the Treaty than this information would warrant. We must wait for more light. In general, however, we may say that we should regret any moral support that might be given to France's peculiar ideas of calming Europe.
* * *
Previous page
