The sun., 1909-02-14

milton would go into the hands Of the
ubiquitous Austrian gendarmes. This
absence OF guns Is the reason the Bosnans
do not talk OF precipitating the struggle
themselves. 1t is on Montenegro they
depend to open the campaign. and there
In no doubt that on that little country
the situation hinges.
In my last letter endeavored TO show
the determination Of the Montenegrins
to save the orthodox Serbs Of Bosnia and
Herzegovina from incorporation in
Austria Hungary. The Government Of
the dual monarchy has recognized the
danger by a mobilization OF perhaps
10000 troops.
On strategical lines one could hardly
criticise the wisdom Of the Austrian Gov
ernment in putting into southern Bosnia
an army able to prevent an invasion.
II the Servians and the Montenegrins
had suddenly crossed the border from the
southwest and northwest respectively
and occupied the adjoining portion OF
Bosnia and Herzegovina only a long
siege could have dhlodged them.
This territory is as mountainous as
Montenegro. IL is one Of the regions
which the two Serb countries say they
would invade in order to arm the Bosnians,
and one needs only traverse it to realize
its strategical value to a small force fight
ing a guerrilla campaign. Except by
the roads there is no way that a horse
can travel. and these roads. twisting
through pass after pass. could be held
as the Montenegrns have held their own
M 40 hxy ha
traditional score Of men
To traverse the country of the roads
is in most places impossible as we'll for
man as animal. Range winds about range
and ridge breaks upon ridge. to be in
turn cut and furrowed by riffs and chasms.
The land is worth nothing from an agri-
cultural point Of view; IL is hardly able
TO support the hard grubbing peasants
who exist upon IT,
Austria might do we'll TO hand 1t over
to be divided between Servia and Monte
negro except that IL has the only FROM
tier bordering on Turkish territory and
that it would unite and strengthen the
two independent Serb States. Austria
Hungary has filled the land with troops
and il would be difficult OF invasion by
In the Swisslike mountains the weather
is extremely cold, and in the movement
Of troops the men suffer a good deal
One battalion arrived here with several
men frozen; another refused in a body
TO go aboard open trucks. 1t was reported
that a Bohemian regiment mutinied at
Brod. declaring that they would not fight
against fellow Slavs: but ii ia likely.
think. that cold was the greater grievance.
for the Government is very careful TO
select for service in Bosnia only regiments
which can be relied on.
The situation reminds one very much
Of that which prevailed in Macedonia
in 1908. Here Is population largely
hostile TO the Government, not permitted
to carry arms. The country is filed
with troops accused by hostile States OF
committing excesses equal to those which
the Turks committed. Along the railway
lines the stations, the tunnels and the
bridges are guarded by squads Of troops
in the same way that those Of Macedonia
we're guarded.
Precautionary measures are every
where in operation. Lest desperate revo-
lutionists should attempt some dynamite
attack. every traveller is now subjected
to close examination; the baggage Of the
stranger Ia opened frequently. while
Bosnians. Servians and Montenegrins
have to submit TO an examination OF their
persons.
Emanating from Belgrade there are
tales Of prosecuting restrictions upon
the Bosnian peasants. II Is said. for
example. that no one is allowed TO leave
his house after dark, and cases are cited
Of peasants being shot by troops. Per-
haps a military order that peasants shall
remain indoors at night does exist in
some villages along the frontier. but il
is nowhere general The report of only
one act Of atrocity has been verified.