NEWS OF THE WE K
THE international situation in South East Europe is deplorable, and as long as the spirit manifested by Italy and Jugo-Slavia towards one another prevails the negotiations at Geneva about guarantees for the independence of Austria will be blocked by a dead wall. There is no good reason for the Italo-Jugo-Slav tension except a Press campaign culpable in its malignity and folly on both sides—and much more serious, of course, when the papers of both countries are completely under the thumb of their governments. It is not asking a great deal of Signor Mussolini and King Alexander to suggest. to the journalists of their countries that they should drop trans-Adriatic polemics completely for a month or so. Even in the interests of their own dignity they might do that, for lampoons about the military records of the respective countries are on a level with the personalities of street-urchins. In ordinary cir- cumstances the verbal warfare would matter little, but at a moment when co-operation between the two countries, together with the other Succession States, in regard to Austria is imperative, it is a serious obstacle to agreements which ought to be concluded, and concluded quickly, in the interests of all Europe. At present deadlock prevails. France is anxious to guarantee Austria through the League. Italy is bent on agreements outside the League, presumably on the ground that swift action might be called for and that League action would mean delay.
