Dr. Seipel has bad a conference with Dr. Benes, "
the strong man " of South-Eastern Europe, at Prague (Czechoslovakia
has a commercial treaty with Austria), and later one with the Italian Foreign Minister, Signor Schanzer, at Verona. The Czechs are not unfriendly, but their allies, the South Slave and the Rumanians, cannot forget Hapsburg oppression, and like nothing better than a prostrate Austria. (The South Slays are said to have burned their surplus crops last year rather than exchange them for Viennese manufactured goods, of which they had as great need as the Austrians had of the corn.) Thus while the little Entente may, as the Times says, have " promoted the development of progressive economic relations between the Secession States," it has absolutely blocked the economic recovery of Austria. Indeed, in the same article the Times admits that the little Entente is " on its guard " against Italian influence in Austria lest " the economic routes between Germany and the Adriatic might gradually be resumed."
