The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-26
Belgrade, capital Of Servia, from
the Hungarian shore across
the Save.

would be mea by Germany coming to
| the aid OF Austria she could do nothing
| ubt maintain a neutral attitude.
| But Russia now IS IN a different posi-
ton and Is eager for an opportunity
| TO rehabilitate her military reputation.
| She has a new army, newly organized,
and would not be averse to engaging in
a war that would have a stronger appeal
10 the spirit OF her people than did her
| Inflated adventure in the East. Ger
tainly to her and TO her influence Ser
VIA Will look for funds, even though she
| might be deferred from actual partIcipa-
! ton in warfare.
Austria's principal allies. bound to her
zy the terms of the Triple Alliance, have
already come forward and announced
their intention stand by her. but brave
as their assertion seems on its face the
we'll known underlying motives give to
IL certain degree Of lukewarmness
Germany's entire foreign policy looks
10 commercial expansion. and In Servia
she has already seen an immense OPP
portunity which she has not been slow
TO seize. She has refused to accept Pan
Serblsm as a question of international
political Importance and has proceeded
without regard to II. a stand which has
| won her very friendly feeling in Ser
via. and not a few commercial advan-
tages.
Italy. while bound by the Triple ALI
ance. Is none the less friendly TO Servia
probably II must be admitted because of
Austria's opposition. Italy is with the
rest of the Balkans just as she Is with
Albania, she does not care who profits
by them so Austria has no share of the
spoils. In the event of a general war
Italy is technically bound TO Austria, but
the bonds would chafe, and just how
strong they would prove cannot be said.
The attitude of the other Balkan
states toward their erstwhile ally, Ser
via, is also somewhat problematical.
Montenegro only is assured. She has
grievances against Austria quite as
much as Servia has and would be glad
of the chance to send her gallant little
army Of $4,000 men into the field. With
Greece and with Rumanla Servia has a
strong understanding, but it is doubtful
II this would extend to going to her
assistance in a war in which their own
interests were in no way involved.
Since In the event of hostilltles Ser
Was position would be entirely defen-
sive, that war harried land finds itself
once more about to become a battle
ground. Invasion would undoubtedly be
made from the north. where along both
sides Of the low lying valley OF the Dan
ube every point of vantage has been for
titled both by the Austrians and the
Servians. The capital. Belgrade. lying
as 1t does directly opposite Austrian ter
ritory. would seem to be especially vul-
nerable. and for this reason there has
been great deal OF talk from time to
tine of moving the seat of Government
further into the interior, to Nish. or
perhaps to Uskub, the largest and best
city OF the newly gained territory. 1t is
at Nish that all the Servian bankers at
the first alarm of war with Austria rush
all their money To lock 1t up In the lit
tie old tower buried deep In the old
fortress.
But Belgrade, the Servans say, Is not
so vulnerable az its position on the river
bank would indicate. Its Notifications
are military secret, but It Is asserted
that they are of the highest developed
bodern type and entirely capable of Of
fering a long and stubborn resistance to
any force that Austria might send
against them.
At Temesvar II Is said Austria has
assembled large body of troops ready
to throw them toward the Servian from