M. Barthou's Balkan Tour The French Foreign Minister's visits to
Belgrade and Bucharest, following his visits to Poland and Czecho- Slovakia, have developed into a triumphal progress through the capitals of States which, if all goes according to plan, are to be drawn more closely than ever into the political and military orbit of France. The regional con- ventions for mutual assistance and the assurance to France's allies that they may count upon her help against any aggressor have been advertised with the double object of impressing Germany and Hungary and of comforting her friends. France has secured the recognition of Russia by Czecho-Slovakia and Roumania, and hopes to lead Jugo-Slivia in the same direction, thus paving the way for security agreements with Russia in which the whole chain of France's allies will participate. Hungary has been looking on critically and gloomily at M. Bar- thou's dramatic tour, realizing that it is judged successful by the Little Entente Powers in proportion as it removes hopes of Treaty revision. The Hungarian Prime Minister expresses the disappointment of his tOuntrymen • with M. Barthou, when he says that • they had hoped that French foreign policy was based " not on bayonets but on a conception of justice."
