Eastern Europe Eastern Europe is generally believed to be the
region where the danger of war, if danger there be, is greatest ; yet the States there situated have lately shown a remark- able confidence in their strength and unity and a com- posure which only such confidence could justify. In the last week Poland has concluded the arrangements for the grant to her of large military credits by France ; and in conversations of extreme cordiality with the Rumanian Foreign Minister has promised closer political and cultural co-operation with her neighbour and ally. There is no likelihood that either of these two countries will join the anti-Communist alliance, from which Austria and Italy also hold aloof. The Little Entente itself has drawn closer together, and by a joint session of members of its three Parliaments in Bucharest has given a proof of unity which has confounded its critics. An article in the semi-official Prager Presse on Sunday expressed once again the view of the Czech Foreign Office and of Dr. Benes that there is no danger of war, for which, in any case, they believe Czechoslovakia and the Little Entente to be well prepared. This confidence is remark- able, yet not without foundation ; for the lack of panic and the tendency of the Eastern European countries to draw together at this moment are themselves -among the strongest forces making for peace.
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