Evening star., 1909-03-14
RUSSIA AND THE BALKAN CRISIS

ment because the situation required it
an accord between the Serb people and
would know how to defend and safe
guard Serb interests without. To that
END 1t would submit to the great powers
or Europe the demands which would be
formulated by the skouptchina. The new
ministry would be known as the govern
ment OF national defense
Inc AuStro-Hungarian threats of an
expedition destined to punish Serbs eX-
cited indignation not only in political and
military circles, but also among the pop
ulation, which is manifested everywhere
particularly in the journals, by express
slons OF violent hatred and defiance of
AuStria-Hungary and an increase in the
preparation for a national struggle. Many
journals demand the immediate mobiliZa
tion al least of two divisions which should
De concentrated near the northern from
tier.
The committee of national defense is
actively engaged in the choice of routes.
the means of transport of the numerous
volunteers. Russians and Italians, enrolled
since long time and who ask that their
services may now be utilized.
The Nouvelle PreSse Libre announces
from Berlin more optimistic and pacific
note. 1t says that France and Germany
are absolutely resolved to prevent war
from breaking out. French capital in
Servia reaches about 100000. 900 francs"
The Gazette de Frankfort after having
criticised the turbulent attitude Of Servia
and praised the patience which the Wen
ma government has shown, condemns the
language now adopted by great part of
the Austria-Hungary journals. 1t says:
1T does not seem that these articles,
written with the manifest object of treat
ing Servta with contempt and to humil-
late her. will have the result OF faclitat-
ing a pacific entente. And nevertheless
1t should be said in Austria that it will
be folly to think that the conflict may be
solved by violence Servia would be re-
duced to impotence for long period but
Austria would not profit by that solution.
diplomacy should prevent an armed con-
ffict between these two nations if there
remains any respect for ITSELF
An article in the Fremdenblatt signed
"An Old Soldier" declares: 'It will not be
question in case of con-
Military flict with Servia of sending
1, an expedition of punish
LIE ishment. The Serbs are
not savages of Africa. 1t will prove to
be a real war. having for it's object to
destroy the enemy's forces and to i'm
pose upon him the will of the adversary"
The Echo de Paris expresses the fear
that the collective interference which it
is proposed to exercise at Belgrade might
have the effect of separating France from
England and Russia, Russia, 1t being un
derstood, having particular interests in
Servia. The Echo invites the attention
of France under such circumstances to
her alliance with Russia.
The Temps. which made the PROPOSE
ton Of a collective interference, takes up
the question. If Servia's existence or her
independence was threatened If an AUS
trian army entered Belgrade it is probable
that movement based upon public opin-
ion might break out in Russia and force
the hand Of that government. There is
the danger which could and should be
avoided. The only question actually In
view is not to know what would be Rus
sian policy and Franco-Russian policy,
but to know what is actually Russian
to what point will Russia support
Servia's claims? The Temps declares
that notwithstanding the sympathies for
the Serbs at ST. Petersburg 1t is con-
vinced that Russia will join in the pro-
posed joint action at Belgrade.
Historically. in the first place. Russia
has never claimed to act for Servia as she
always claimed to act for Bulgaria. 1t
is only necessary to have look at the
map to understand the motive of that
different action.
In 1915, when Russia negotiated with
Austria. she sacrificed something. The
Sth of July Of that year, at the interview I
at Reichstadt. Andrassy exposed the Aus
y.
today by Baron d'Aerenthal. Andrassy
declared that Austria would not admit |
of an ACKNOWLEDGMENT of Servia which |
would make Of her the Piedmont of the |
southern Slavs in the Balkans And |
Russia in order to assure the neutrality |
of Austria consented from that moment to |
Austria's occupation of Bosnia-Herzego- |
vina. The congress Of Berlin only con- |
secrated the direct understanding estab- |
lished two years before between Vienna |
a nd St Petersburg OF this NJ 1
HanoteauX said with manifest reason, 1T |
unregistered the sacrifice by Russia of |
the western Balkans
It Is thus that We may understand the |
speech Of NJ. Isvolsky in the |
duma to which we have |
Isvolsky'S heretofore referre |
Those" he said, "who |
demand that l energeti- |
cally protest against the annexation of |
Bosnia-Herzegovina evidently believe the |
minister of foreign affairs of Russia may |
act in that question in deductfng therefrom
certain political situations and engage
ments made primarily. Unfortunately it is
not So The veil that covers the past is |
now raised by the indiscretion of a foreign
hand. History will pass judgment upon
i
present ministry to take them into ac-
count, and also, with them, a series Of
later diplomatic conventions and not to
provoke the dangerous consequences
which a protestation of the character in
question might have for Russia
M. Isvolsky, it should be added. has
placed himself Loyalty upon these engage
mentS, but he has affirmed the principle
Of the contractual revision of the treaty
Of Berlin by means of a conference. The
Russian minister besides has repeatedly
renewed his efforts at conciliation at
Belgrade
Russia has never supported the terri
Lorial claims of Servia. 1t is due to Rus
sia that Servia has renOunced her claims
for territorial extension and this. indeed.
should satisfy the legitimate demands of
Austria Hungary But Austria Hungary
Is not satisfied. She breads the proposed
because of her violation of the
treaty of Berlin, of which the conference
S the continuation and supplement
1t is understood that Russia would not
suffer the ACKNOWLEDGMENT or diminution
Of Servia. 1t was quite sufficient for the
powers to declare to Servia that not hav-
ng lost any territory, she has no just
claim to territorial compensation. The
powers. including Russia. had given Ser
'la no hope of Increase of territory or
of her frontiers seaward.
The situation, 1t may be repeated, is
'ull Of dangerous possibilities" Russia,
Wiling or unwilling, as the principal fac
or in the Serb question, is the arbiter in
his Balkan conflict. That Russia will
can toward peaceful solution we are
assured, if for no other reason because
IF her unpreparedness for war; And on
J,te lr f,,-