New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-03
AUSTRIA IN THE BALKANS
Her Right to Bosnia and Herzego-
VIVA Based On Her Work Of
Civilization.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: In a letter to you Mr.. Slashk as
serted: THE Allies are offering to Serbia
Bosnia Herzegovina for ceding Macedonia.
What joke to offer US our own lands, which
even Austrian systematic subiugauon and
Denomination could not ALLEVIATE from the
Serbian race"
Among the many evil characters Of the
Serbian race greed and impertinence are the
foremost In the words "our own land"
both of these bad characteristics are sui
fcently picturized | am very anxious 10
know from whence Serbia has any right to
these portions of lands.
Bosnia Herzegovina were originally under
the Turkish rule. At the Congress Of Berlin
in 1873 the powers conceded TO Austria the
right TO occupy those Turkish provinces.
Austria then invaded Bosnia. But the in
habitants resisted, and only after a long and
hard fight could Austria gain control OF the
territory. But the bloodshed was not ended.
In the wild and rugged mountains there lived
reckless, turbulent tribes which refused 70
abide by the law Bandits made travelling IN
safe They raided the villages, carrying OF
the towns of everything valuable. 1t took
Austria a long time to subdue the trouble
some elements. Thousands Of lives were
sacrificed in the preservation of law and or
der. Roads, railways and mines that were
built by the government were demolished by
the Bosnian mountaineers, and only sys-
tematic prosecution could gain the upper
hand. Tireless work made Bosnia Here
md inf fial %
After forty years Of unceasng labor the
loss of thousands of precious lives. the in
vestment of millions, Austria claimed the
territories for herself and annexed them as
crown lands. This was contrary to Serbia's
high flying plans. She hoped that after Aus
tria completed the work Of civilization she
would be presented with the cultured regions,
and thereby make the first step to be world
power. But when she began 10 realize that
Bosnia was lost forever her abominable
statesmen started the most despicable an
archistc campaign in history. And when, in
1908, Austria announced the permanent occu-
patton of the two Balkan provinces, Serbia's
indignation reached its top marx.
Serbia's agents swarmed through Austria.
They spread dissatisfaction among the up 20
then contented population; they whispered
irto the ears of the peasants false stories
about oppression and tyranny; preached a
questionable liberty 10 ignorant people and
corrupted the young generations with revo-
lutionary aspirations. From Belgrade came
plans of revolutions for the overthrow Of the
Hapsburg dynasty and the reduction of the
Dual Monarchy. The first open blow struck
az Austria was the assassination Of the Arch
duke Francis Ferdinand and his wife. But
Austria decided that it was also to be the last
blow. and after Serbia's unsatisfactory
answer TO her ultimatum she declared war.
! Never was there a more just war fought
than that of Austria against Serbia After
Serbia's hackers are defeated then her turn
will come and she will be eradiceted from the
list of the nations as punishment for her dis
graceful conduct.
Bosnia and Herzegovina belong 20 Austria,
as the Canal Zone belongs to the United
States. While the United States spent only
money on the zone the Dual Monarchy gave
both wealth and life for her Balkan posses
sons, and thereby gained an unquestionsble
right TO them. FRITZ ROSENTHAL.
New York, Aug. 80, 1915.