Page:The Czechoslovak Review, vol4, 1920.pdf/63

Chancellor Renner’s visit to Prague was of a startling character and gave rise to many rumors, some of them silly on their face, such as the cable published in America claiming that an offensive and defensive alliance had been formed between Czechoslovakia and Austria. Renner came to Prague—went to Canossa, as the opposition in Vienna called his journey—because he was urged to it by both economic and political motives. His previous trip to Paris resulted in little material help from the Entente; Vienna was in desperate need of food and coal, and while the Czechoslovaks could spare no grain, they could give more coal and sugar. And as far as politics was concerned, Vienna was willing to forget that for centuries it had dictated to Prague, because the existing republican regime in Austria was in danger from the monarchistic reaction in Hungary which by its talk about the restoration of Hungarys’ integrity aimed also at the integrity of the Czechoslovak Republic. So it was natural that Renner sought rapprochement with the Czechoslovaks. He came to Prague on January 10 for a visit of four days, accompanied by a staff of expert advisers; he announced that he came to take up the details of the execution of the St. Germain treaty, such as the drawing of the boundary lines and liquidation of financial claims, further more liberal frontier inspections, making of a provisional commercial treaty, exchange of products etc. Renner himself promptly took up foreign affairs with Minister Beneš, while his financial and commercial advisers went into session with Czechoslovak experts. As to the economic phase of the negotiations, it was announced later that Czechoslovakia agreed to increase its quota of coal for Austria to 510 carloads a day, as well as give Austria 30,000 tons of sugar. The larger coal pledge was made possible by France which promised to give the Czechoslovaks 5000 coal cars of which 1500 have already been delivered. As to diplomatic questions, talk of an alliance was called foolish by Dr. Beneš; he stated in the National Assembly that agreement was reached as to the execution of the St. Germain (Austrian) peace treaty. Undoubtedly this understanding applies principally to those parts of the treaty which have reference to the Magyars. The Czechoslovak Republic was given the northern counties of Hungary—Slovak and Rusin territory; this district has been occupied for more than a year and is completely incorporated into the body politic of the Republic. Austria was given by the peace conference a small strip along the western boundary of Hungary. It is a territory inhabited by very mixed population, Slavs, Magyars and Germans, the last being the most numerous. This district is still in Magyar hands. The land here is very fertile, which is one of the reasons why peace conference awarded it to Austria, a country almost entirely mountainous. The present regime in Budapest which is dominated by chauvinists may refuse to comply with the demand of the peace conference to surrender this additional slice of St. Stephen’s land; and if it feels strong enough, it may even repeat the bolshevik invasion of Slovakia of last May. Beside these possibilities of trouble with the Magyars, Austria is seriously affected by monarchist propaganda from Hungary, just as it was formerly exposed to the missionary activities of the bolsheviks; and it must be remembered that outside of Vienna the population of Austria consists of small farmers and shepherds who are very conservative and were formerly very loyal monarchists. In