FRANCE AND THE CZECHS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18664, 21 March 1924, Page 8

FRANCE AND THE CZECHS.

The terms of a military convention between France and Czechoslovakia are reported with the most circumstantial detail from Berlin. At the end of January there was published the official text of a treaty between these ' two, countries, a treaty to which the military pact is apparently an addendum. At the time Dr. Benes:, the Czech Minister for Foreign Affairs, explicitly stated that there were no secret clauses, and in particular there was no military agreement attached. Commenting at that date, the Times said that if the treaty was no more than it seemed, it was unnecessary; if it was more than appeared on the surface, it indicated a backward tendency in Europe. France had military treaties, with Poland and Belgium. If another had been made with Czecho-Slovakia, then France stood revealed as a militaristic influence in Europe. Since there has been no open announcement of the terms now reported from Berlin, it seems reasonable to anticipate further developments immediately. The two countries may be able to deny the report and prove it -unfounded. They may, on the other hand, be compelled to admit its substantial accuracy. In that event, explanations will be expected. Open diplomacy may still be an unrealised dream. There appears nothing in the present international situation, however, justifying these two countries in concluding so comprehensive and detailed a military convention, and their concealing its very existence in the manner alleged. This Berlin report promises to make various foreign, offices busy in the immediate future.