New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-25
70 the Editor of The Tribune

o the Editor OF Inc tribune.
SIR In reading Mr.. Rosenthals article I
have gained the impression that | was read
ing copy of the statements contained in the
famous Austrian utimatum to Serbia. His
limited knowledge Of the history Of the Bal
kans and of true conditions prevailing in
Austria generally, and Bosnia and Herzego-
vina particularly, seems TO have directed him
to "learn the facts" from the said ultimatum.
In the frst place let Mr.. Rosenthal learn,
since he is very anxious to know from
whence Serbia has any right to Bosnia and
Herzegovina" that the population OF the said
provinces belongs and belonged since the
dawn Of civilization ethnologically to the Ser
bian race, and that the said provinces be-
longed geographically to the old Serbian
Empire, long before the unspeakable Turk
crossed TO Europe. Therefore there are
chronological and state rights which Serbia
claims in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mr.. Rosen-
thai ought to be aware that the present war
can result In a permanent peace only II the
remaking Of the European map shall be done
along the n&tionaistic or chronological lines.
But since he is imbued with the German lust
of conquest, which is, by the way, the only
meaning of Kultur, ne probably cannot per
ceive that the Serbian population of Bosnia
and Herzegovina could feel itself but en-
shaved by the oppressive yoke OF Austria.
He is probably still wondering how the Ser
bians of the said provinces can choose be-
tween the Kultur and the union with their
fellow brothers in Serbia, though he is, un-
fortunately for him, admitting that the inhab-
itants of Bosnia and Herzegovina resisted the
Austrian invasion. The reason for this bloody
h., fttllx
aware of what would mean the occupation Of
their lands by Austria-not civilization, but
refined savagery.
Still more unfortunate for this defender Of
Austria is his assertion: Out the bloodshed
was not ended" If Austria had brought civ
ilization, why did the people fight it? Be
cause the Austrian mission in the Balkans
was not one which would educate the people
in the right way, but which would deprive the
people of what they had, to cultivate doglike
obedience and fearfulness, 20 work most ener-
getically against the enlightenment of the
masses, etc And naturally the bloodshed in
these provinces, as in all other southern Aus
trian provinces, will never end, at least as
long as the Austrian yoke is not thrown away.
Austria H. a paradox monster Of the
twentieth century. Austria has two state
notices; the first, austria Orb est Imperare
Universum" Austria has right to rule the uni
verse;, and the other, Divide ct lmpera" Cdi-
vide to rule. In the first one is sufficiently
explained the deplorable declaration OF war
on Serbia. They desired to rule the universe
and they wanted to begin with Serbia, which
was the main barrier of their "Drang mach
Osten" policy. Their second motto is fully
characterized in the formation of the Aus
trian Empire itself Austria is conglomer-
# hoe
tons is satisfied with the Austrian govern
ment The peoples of Austria have no just
and fair national census. They have never
received equal treatment before the law.
They have not been afforded equal opportuni-
ties 10 educate their children in their re-
spectve mother tongues. The inhabitants OF
Austria have never been granted the univer-
sal suffrage, though the ballot would have re-
vealed to the world the astounding truth that
Austria, since the destruction of Turkey, is
the sole remaining government in Europe
that rules contrary to the will of the ma
jority of its people. Austria is unfaithful to
| her people, and therefore she is not powerful
and the peoples do not support her.
/ The Englishman is proud Of his citizenship
everywhere. The German chershes the
memory Of his fatherland. The Frenchman
adores the country of his birth. The Ameri-
can joyouslY proclaims his is the best land in
the world. And why must the Slavs and
others from Austria think Of the country in
which they were born with bitter feeling in
their hearts? They would also like to be
proud, 70 cherish, to adore, to defend-but
whose blame is it that they cannot? Whose
fault is it that the words Austrian patriot
ism" are a meaningless phrase to the peoples
| Of Austria which leaves cold their emotions