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In October 1920, the Klagenfurt plebiscite allocated to Austria the province contested between Austria and Yugoslavia. France, as ally of the young State of SHS which she wanted to be as large as possible, suffered a geopolitical defeat despite the efforts of its diplomats. The French troops sent to the area, even if they were very closely tied to their Serbian brothers-in-arms, maintained a scrupulous reserve. While this reserve could not be interpreted as a sign of hostility, it did not prevent them from criticizing Yugoslav brutalities.