New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-09-06
The Little Entente
By Frank II. Simonds

The formation Of the so-called Little
Entente" Rumania, Czecho- Slovakia
and Jugo-Slavia, is one of the most in
te1est1ng developments Of the whole
period since the Paris conference. II
represents deliberate effort of three
OF the smaller nations, who were either
created or enormously expanded by the
war and the peace settlement, to find
common security in a defensive alli-
ance. Combined, the three states have
q population Of approximately 100000
600, equal to France and slightly SUI
perior to Italy. Thus their military re-
sources are sufficient when united to
make a respectable showing, even
against great power.
What are the purposes of the alli-
ance, specifically? Both Czecho-Slo-
vakia and Rumania have common in
terest in preserving the settlement of
the Danubian territories so far as Aus
tria and Hungary are concerned
Czecho-Slovakia acquired very large
share of the old Austrian lands-Bo-
helnias Moravia and Austrian Silesia-
together with all the Slovak and
Ruthenian regions along the Carpa-
thians which had belonged to Hun
gary. Rumania acquired Bukovina
from Austria and Pennsylvania, to-
gether with most of the Banat, from
Hungary. Both are therefore equally
menaced by any Hungarian risorgi-
mento.
Jugo-Slavia profted equally at the
expense of both Austria and Hungary
acquiring the Slovenian provinces from
the former and Croatia, Slavonia and a
portion of the Banat from Hungary.
The single difference in the situation
of the Southern Slavs lies in the fact
that between Rumania and themselves
there is quarrel over the Banat,
which has threatened to disturb the
peace of southeastern Europe The
fact that the two have consented to
form a partnership Is perhaps a prom
Use that the question has been ad-
journed, if not accommodated.
But in addition to menaces from
Hungary, Rumania and Jugo- Slavia
have q common enemy in Bulgaria,
which has twice attacked each in re-
cent years. Rumania acquired the
southern Dobrudja as q consequence OF
the peace of Bucharest in 1918, which
settled the two Balkan wars, and Ser
bia gained all Of Macedonia, save that
part which she and Greece divided
Thus it is safe to reckon that Bulgaria
would stand with Hungary in any move
Of the Magyar state to regain lost ter
ritories.
On the other hand. Jugo-Slavia has
an acute quarrel with Italy over Fiume
and the Adriatc shore. Rumania, on
the contrary, has been for long years
close friend of the italians and has
in recent times seemed on the point of
joining hands with the italians in an
attack upon the southern Slavs. 1t
may be safely calculated that, what
ever the terms Of the new alliance,
neither Czecho-Slovakia nor Rumania
has bound itself to defend Jugo-Slavia
against Italy. And the same is prob
ably true Of the Albanians. who are
obviously being melted to attack the
Serbs by Italian intrigues, intrigues
which ara also taking the form Of an
attempt to revive the Msntenegrin
state, Of itp own volition merged in
the new Jugo-Slav nation.
What Ia probably the basis OF the
new arrangement la AN agreement OF
the three statas to stand together
against auy attack. cesning &som Aus
tsiA Rnasss 90 sss