at the return of the Habsburgs was
not opposed by the Succession States out of pure malice but for the
reason that it would inevitably strengthen the magnates and the high
ecclesiastics in their desire to bring about the restoration of
Hungary's old frontiers. As the frontiers are now drawn there dwell--and
this could not be prevented--a number of Magyars in each of the three
neighbouring States (the fewest being in Yugoslavia), just as the
present Hungary includes a Czech-Slovak, Roumanian and Yugoslav
population.[71] But the Great Powers agree that if this frontier is to
be changed at all, every precaution should be taken against having it
changed by force. It is no exaggeration to say that there can be no
real peace in Central Europe until normal intercourse with Russia is
re-established, but let it in the meantime be the task of the Little
Entente to guard the temporary peace from being shattered.

Apart from this defensive object the countries of the Little Entente
have the positive aim of a resumption of normal economic conditions and
the institution of a new order of things in accordance with the new
political construction of Central and Eastern Europe. It is obvious that
these three States have numerous interests in common which make their
co-operation very natural, if not indeed indispensable.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 46: April 16, 1920.]

[Footnote 47: January 22, 1920.]

[Footnote 48: According to the Rome correspondent of the _Petit
Journal_.]

[Footnote 49: But the wind was considerably tempered for him:
vessels laden with his precise requirements sailed over from
Italy and said they had been captured by d'Annunzio's arditi.
General Badoglio, in command of the royal troops outside the
town, ascertained in November 1919 that Rieka's coal-supply was
nearly exhausted and 7000 tons per month were required for the
public services alone. He accordingly informed a syndicate of
coal merchants in Triest that he would be personally
responsible for the first consignment of coal to d'Annunzio. A
month earlier, when the town was supposed to be blockaded, it
was announced that a limited supply of food-stuffs would,
nevertheless, be introduced, through the Red Cross, for very
young children. This amounted, as a matter of fact, to 21
truckloads a week. It is significant that there was no rise in
the prices charged in the public restaurant