THE H.B. TRIBUNE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 1933 THE LITTLE ENTENTE.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 97, 5 April 1933, Page 6

THE H.B. TRIBUNE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 1933 THE LITTLE ENTENTE.

If some really effective international scheme for the preservation of peace in Europe is not eventually devised it certainly will not be for laek of suggestions as to the lines on which it should run. In the first instance, the British Prime Minister put forward his draft Convention, which he regarded as a comprehensive document providing all the material necessary as a basis of negotiation among the European Great Powers. This was closely followed by proposals of a quite distinct nature from Signor Mussolini, the Italian Premier. Now we have the French Foreign Minister, M. Paul Boncour, submitting yet another plan. This latest formulation is understood to embody much of the substance of the other two, but with modifications and additions. Outstanding among the new features introduced is a provision for the special recognition of what has come to be known as the “Little Entente.” The “friendly association” thus entitled embraces Roumania and the two new States of Jugoslavia and Czecho-Slovakia, both national creations arising out of the Great War. What has just now to be particularly noted about it is that, within the last few weeks, what was a somewhat loosely expressed understanding among these three neighbouring Powers of South-Eastern Europe, with an aggregate population of 47 million, has been translated into a firm alliance the terms of which are set out in a well defined treaty. Under this treaty, or “statute,” as it is officially termed, the Little Entente has, using the words of the “Times” Geneva correspondent, been “transformed into an international community having an individuality of its own.” The Statute stipulates that with regard to all future changes in the political and economic relations of each with any outside nation there shall be consultation in common, while even existing agreements of the kind are to come under review by a permonent common Council that, is to be established. Thus all pre-

vious acts creating and organising the Little Entente are now reduced and rendered permanent by a single instrument, which by this time has no doubt been duly deposited among the archives of the League of Nations. “In other words,” as the “Times” puts it editorially, “so far as population is the measure of greatness, a new composite Great Power has been created.” There may, however, be some considerable doubt felt as to whether this so definite combination, in a region from which so much trouble has emerged in the past, is likely to make for the betterment of European international relations as a whole. Especially may this be said with respect to France and Italy. It has to be recognised that the evolution of this Entente has undoubtedly been the outcome of French diplomacy. Almost from the outset France has assumed, more or less overtly, the role of protector of the nations composing it. Already this has been the occasion of more than one serious difference between the two Governments, differences that at times almost threatened to develop into hostilities. That this new movement is at all likely to help in composing such differences is not at all likely. In fact, no sooner was the signing of the Little. Entente Statute announced than there was an outburst of Italian protest against this creation of a “new instrument” of French aggrandisement that means a new menace to the security of Italy. On the other hand, it may perhaps be shrewdly surmised that this move, presumably at France’s instance, has in no small measure been prompted by the indications of Italian leanings towards Germany to which Signor Mussolini has of late months been giving unmistakable and practical expression. The feeling of uneasiness that was thus awakened will have been in no way allayed by the happenings of the last few weeks in Germany itself. In Herr Hitler France sees merely a disciple of Signor Mussolini, whose Fascist regime is altogether repugnant to her present Government. In the intense spirit of nationalism it has aroused she quite naturally sees a new danger to everything she has gained by the war. With these coiisiderations in mind it will be understood why France has sought to establish a wellcombined friendly force on Italy’s right wing that would serve to give that country pause before joining with Germany in any movement against France. It will thus be with considerable interest that the disclosure of Signor Mussolini’s attitude towards M. Boncour’s proposal will be awaited.