-20-                            
 
 
only logical outlet to the sea offering almost natural facilities for
transportation, warehousing, etc., and in addition the general economic
interrelation between the two countries, grown strong through usage,
are
ever present in the mind of the average practical Czech business man.
The further fact that Czech leadership and public opinion are gradually
awakening to the realization that no great material assistance is to be
expected from France or for that matter England, is creating a feeling
that in the long run alignment with Germany might prove advantageous.*
 
 
The German attitude towards Czechoslovakia is well characterized by
repeated confidential statements of members of the German General Staff
to the effect that from a military point of view, a complete occupation
of the country would be a matter of hours only, and from the political
angle it is German policy to support this attitude by isolation in
various forms.  All progress made towards this end may be counted as a
gain for Germany- and there has been progress.
 
 
Fifth, one of the most direct blows leveled at the France-Soviet Pact
came from Marshall Ridz-Smigly, who, it is understood, in replying to
French inquiries in Paris recently, stated that Poland could not see
her
 
 
 
* Despatch No. 534, September 25. 1936, from the Legation, Prague.