Page:The Czechoslovak Review, vol4, 1920.pdf/375

they increased their numerical strength, and are making great military preparations. The Magyars, of course, pretend that their war machine is directed against the Bolshevik danger coming from Russia, but the fact is that preparations are undertaken in pursuance of Magyar Imperialist aims. The Czechoslovak Government is in possession of documents proving that the Magyars are sending agents into Slovakia with the object of fomenting strikes and social disturbances in order to give the Magyar Government a pretext to attack Slovakia. In view of these facts there was considerable uneasiness in Czechoslovakia, Jugoslavia and Rumania, and hence arose the necessity of an agreement between these three countries. The solidity of the agreement between the three States concerned has rendered impossible any aggression which may be launched against the combined defence of all those whose interests are at stake.

Finally, this Entente has concluded with Austria a series of economic arrangements which will enable this unfortunate State to extricate itself from a difficult position. The Entente is also willing to live at peace with Hungary and to establish normal friendly relations with that State if the latter abandons its present policy and ceases to foment disturbances through its agents upon territories of its neighbors.

The united power of Czechoslovakia, Jugoslavia and Rumania is of such strength that no country in Central or Eastern Europe would venture an attack upon this alliance. It is certain that these three states will become a rallying point for neighboring governments, even for those which at present are hostile. Austria has been the first to accept the hand of friendship which the Czechoslovak Republic held out to it. It is to be hoped that the work for peace which has begun may be crowned by the establishment of a peaceful and loyal Entente between all neighboring states,—an essential condition for economic reconstruction and the institution of a stable order in Central Europe.

In accordance with the terms of the law for the expropriation of large estates and landed property, which was passed by the Czechoslovak National Assembly last year, the distribution will be carried out as follows:

1. To small holders, to the owners of small industrial concerns, to farmers and foresters without land, to disabled soldiers, to legionaries and their dependents.

2. The associations of the above mentioned persons, and to consumers’ associations.

3. For the erection of family dwellings, workshops and factories for owners of small industrial concerns, for co-operative societies.

4. To municipalities and public associations.

5. To scientific institutions and those of public utility.

6. On principle, the municipalities and the corporations will receive pasture-lands. The forests and the ponds will be assigned, first and foremost, to municipalities and public associations.

As regards industrial concerns, in so far as they come within the provisions of the law, they will be merged with co-operative societies. Hydro-electric plants unless operated by the state itself, will then be offered to public associations and cooperative societies.

Land will be sold or converted into farms. Those acquiring it will do so on the principle that it is to be regarded as indivisible whole, to which will apply the principles of the law of Bohemia relating to the hereditary acquisition of medium-sized landed property.

The land office has fixed the area of individual plots at six, ten or fifteen hectars (1 ha.=2.5 A.), whichever may be adequate according to the value and quality of the soil. Associations will receive as a maximum enough land to enable each member to obtain one of these areas. Local committees as consulting organs will be established to properly carry out this reform. If the process of expropriation and distribution takes up much time, it will be possible to supply those using the expropriated land for farming purposes with a certain amount in those directions where large areas are available for an extended period of more than six years.