New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-03


Salonica. Oct. 25.-The success or failure
of the Confederation or Jugo-Slavia, which
the powers of the Entente will be called upon
to bring into being, will depend on the spirit
which presides at its inception. II all the
powers are animated by sincere desire to
create a strong and Independent Jugo-Slayia
which will form permanent bulwark against
the German designs in the Near East there
should be no difficulty in coming to agree
ment in regard to its constitution. IT, on the
other hand, there should be international
jealousies or q desire on the part of any in
dividual power to exercise a dominating in
luence in the new state it is more than
probable that the constitution of Jugo-Slavia
will be such as will render it weak and
divided from the start and a source of con-
Fiction in the future.
What countries have an interest in prevent
ing the construction of Jugo-Slay state :?
The answer to this question is simple: They
are Germany and Austria Hungary. Germany,
because its creation will at once and for ever
put an end to her ambitions in the East;
Austria Hungary because the new state will
be carved out of her living flesh. But as the
interests of these two empires are diametr-
cally opposed to those of the Entente powers
the latter are little likely to pay any atten-
ton to them and will impose their Will upon
them the victors debating terms to the van
pushed. Once the Jugo-Slav state Is Gre
ated on n solid basis. such as will satisfy
the national aspirations of all the Southern
Slavs, it may safely be left to work out its
., laf. galf nat he
Central powers. If, however, the new state
should not be organized on such lines it
would inevitably gravitate into the orbit Of
some protecting power which would defend
it against the designs of Germany and Aus
tria- Hungary This would bring up the Bal
kan question afresh and create the situation
which existed before the present war. 1t was
not to arrive at this sterile solution that the
powers of the Entente have fought the blood
lest war in the history Of the world. 1t is,
therefore, of the utmost Importance that the
peoples should at once make an intelligent
study of the Jugo-Slav problem so as to adopt
solution which will prevent any return Of
such cataclysm.
Germany and Austria Hungary being elm
mated from the councils of Europe, is there
any other possible opposition to the creation
of strong and solidly established Jugo-
Sava? In order to answer this question one
has only 10 glance at the map TO see the only
power which is directly affected by the crea-
ton Of the new state. This is Italy. II is
clear that she is the country most directly
affected and this being the case, the other
powers will have TO listen with respect to
what she has TO say in regard 10 it so as to
hold the balance level between her legitimate
interests and the equally legitimate claims
Of the Jugo-Slavs. There is no doubt that
there exists in Italy strong party Of ire
dentissimi. whose appetite for conquest is az
strong as was that Of the pan-Germanists of
unhappy memory. These by their exagger-
ated claims and aspirations would bring their
country into conflict with half Europe. Fort
unately there is not the slightest ground
for thinking that this noisy minority pos
sesses any influence with the government or
that King Victor EmmanuePs advisers will
not work in loyal cooperation with the other
powers Of the Entente. But the so-called
italianissimi have undoubtedly succeeded in
inspiring the great mass OF their fellow coun-
trymen with certain amount OF anxiety re-
garding the new Jugo-Slav state which might
easily develop into dlstrust. IL is the duty
Of the powers to remove such anxieties and
TO destroy the illusion that the new state
could ever De source OF DANGER 70 italy.
Before examining the arguments put for
ward in Italy by those who see in the new
state a source of menace or danger let US con
slider the aspirations Of the Jugo-Savs. As
have said, the future Jugo-Slavia consists
Of two independent kingdoms Serbia and
Montenegro ten separate provinces now
under the rule Of the Emperor Francis
Joseph. Under the administration Of Buda-
nest are Croatia II erzeCovina under "a ioint
Austro-Hungarian administration. Each OF
these provinces under Austro- Hungarian rule
formed separate administrative entity,
ruled over with harshness or mildness accord
ing as such rule was opportune, the one great
object of the Austro-Hungarisn method be-
ing TO prevent any racial fusion Of the Slav
portions of the empire. The construction of