New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-09
WHATLEDAUSTRIA TOLIGHT TORCH

vasion of the West These were the strongest,
the most patriotic and daring the proudest Of
the race. They continued the fight against the
enemy under the Austrian and Hungarian
flags. Their weaker brethren remained behind
and submitted to the Turkish yoke. To this day
the pick of the Serb race is found in Austria
Hungary. As for reference to "the glazing
contrast between the economic, social and polit
cal conditions in the Serb provinces of Austria
Hungary and the happy condition in the King
dom Of Servia," far it is true, it is an at
tempt to give a racial twist to state of affairs
that is one of classes. not of races. Magyar and
German peasants feel it much the Slavs.
Again, it is at variance with the facts to claim
that the Dual Monarchy has always been the i'm
pacable enemy of Servia True, it has repeatedly
taken Belgrade, but the historical circumstance
is conveniently overlooked that Belgrade
Turkish, not Servisn, most Of the time until the
early part Of the nineteenth century. Austria
Hungary fighting Turkey, often in direct de-
fence Of the Servians. After the country had be-
come free the Dual Monarchy time and again pro-
tected it against extinction. Russia its
envy then. The last instance Of this timely aid
was when Alexander Of Battenberg and his Bull
garans, instgated by Russia, vanquished the Ser
Wan army. 1t was Austro-Hungarian Intervention
which then saved the day.
The suggestion that the double murder at
SGrajevo an Austrian plant that worked too
well hardly needs reply beyond that given b.
the loyal Serbs, Croats and Mahometans of the
town. who had better knowledge of local condi-
tions than any outsider could possibly have and
who knew at once where to look for the Instiga-
tors Of the crime.
The greater Servian dream under the hegemony
Of the Servian kingdom is simply nexpcable.
The country is, through those who govern it, the
tool Of Russia. If it really believes that Russia
viii tolerate a strong Independent state in the
Balkans, once she has her way there,
disilluson awaits the little kingdom. Unless it
submits voluntarily its fate will be that of its
fellow Slavs, the Russian Poles-who, by the way,
desire the revival of their kingdom, not
change of Russian for Austrian rule.
As | began by saying, the Servan question is
no longer even an incident in the Notwithstanding
war it has produced Whatever the issue, Servia
and her ambitions will never be heard of again.
She will either be a Russian province or she will
see as partner in a reformed Austro- Hungarian
Slav state a Serb Croatian- Dalmatian kingdom
forging ahead in all the arts Of peace. In neither
case will she have an opportunity to lead the Serb
race. II would be too much like the tail that at
tempts to wag the dog.
But most amazing of all to me is the encourage
ment transferred from Serva to Russia by Amer-
can sympathizers. 1t is no longer a question
of Austria Hungary and Germany, but of the de-
fence of the civilization Of the West Anglo
Saxon and Latin as we'll as Teutonc, against the
cdden. impenetrable barbarsm Of the new great
horde led by Nicholas, the dupe Of soothsayers
and false mystics, the worthy patron Of Black
Hundreds and Of the Slav brethren in the Bal
kans who have been preparing for his coming by
cxterminating each others women and children
in Macedonia these twenty years and more. II IL
the battle Of civilization against the oneoming Of
a new Dark Age. Which will America H-yor!