Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-27
Service in the Army.

6SA WIG Al tAAS x14AAys
Young men of the educated families are
commissioned as officers. and here at
Mostar two large and imposing buildings
of Byzantine architecture, erected within
the last ten years, are used for a mill
tary academy to educate them for the
command of regiments of their own
race.
Another wise provision in the Austrian
policy has been to send the troops from
Bosnia and Herzegovina to the other
parts OF the empire In order to enlarge
their knowledge. to impress them with
the influence and power OF the govern
ment, to assimilate them with other
races, and inducements are offered them
to marry and settle down in the sections
where they serve. On the other hand,
the garrsons in these territories are
from Austria and Hungary. and those
who remain and settle here after they
are discharged are given farms, imple-
ments and stock to start with.
These policies, as you may imagine.
have resulted in Matchmaking the popula-
ton OF the two provinces without impair
ing their racial pride or interfering with
their religion. And. finally, taking advan-
tage Of the helplessness of the Turkish
government. Austria closed her case in
chancery one year ago by formally an
nexing Bosnia and Herzegovina to that
empire. The act was the same as IL the
United States government had annexed
Cuba instead Of evacuating that island
and turning the government back to the
people.
This stroke was accomplished by secret
negotiations between Russia, Germany
and Austria. Germany was the only
friend the late sultan; Abdul Hamid, had
in Europe. The kaiser always stood by
him in his troubles. and he paid richly
for that friendship by granting conces-
sfons Of all sorts to German promoters
| and investors, so that very consider
able part of the commerce, trade and
! transportation lines of the Ottoman en-
| pire are under German control. Because
| the kaiser was friendly to the former
sultan. the Young Turks, who now con-
troll the government are hostile to him,
and since the change Of government in
Turkey German interests have been in
! continual peril.
| Russia as a Guardian.
| Russia has always acted as a guardian
for Servia and Bulgaria and other coun-
tries whose religious people profess the
| Greek faith. for the car is recognized as
the nominal head Of that church. Russia
has also pursued very aggressive policy
in this direction, in order to extend her
dominfons to the Mediterranean. Hence
| 1t was comparatively easy for the three
! nations to arrive at an agreement under
| which Russia Is allowed to assume a pro-
|
| tenegro; Austria to annex Bosnia and
Herzegovina, and Germany to have the
support Of both those nations in her
| Efforts to retain her commercial suprem-
acy In the Ottoman empire.
Immediately following the disclosure of
this arrangement Prince Ferdinand OF
! Bulgaria and King Peter OF Servia went
| to Petersburg to kiss the hand of the car
and acknowledge the suzerainty, and they
returned home by way OF Constantincple,
1 to pay their respects to the new sultan
and to show him they are afraid Of Tur-
key no longer.
| The annexation Of Bosnia and Herze-
govina to Austria is generally approved
by the population Of those provinces, ex-
cepting a few Of the passing generation
who are slowly leaving the stage. The
conservative old Turks do not like prog
ress or innovations. They object to pay
| Ing taxes and like best the old way of
| the Turkish officials before the war, who
| were always willing to be bribed. Their
sons and daughters give them great anx-