New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-03
JUGO-SLAVIA
Bv GORDON GORDON-SMITH

these arbitrary divisions by each continuing
its separate existence as a separate state of
the future Jugo-Slav Confederation would be
to introduce an element of weakness from
the very first A state like Jugo-Savia must
have a centre, a rallyng point for the varl-
Gus parts composing it. This can only be
found in Serbia, which is numerically the
greatest state and, with Montenegro, the only
one which possesses political liberty and in
dependence The first duty of the powers
will therefore be TO create the Greater Serbia
by the inclusion in the dominions of King
Peter of Bosnia Herzegovina and the sea-
board territory on the Adriatic.
The reasons for this are simple. The
whole population speaks Serb. is, in the i'm
mense majority, of the Orthodox faith and
allied to Serbia by blood and customs. They
use the printed and written Cyrillian char
acters and have preserved intact TO a great
degree all the characteristics of the Serbian
race.
Things are different in regard to Croatia
and Slavonia and the Serbian speaking terri
tories under Magyar rule. These peoples are
in the majority Catholics by religion, they
use the Latin characters both in printing
and writing and have under centuries OF
Austrian rule developed certain national
some degree from their pure Serbian neigh
bors. It would therefore be advisable TO
grant these states certain amount of au-
tonomous government in the new Confedera-
ton. Their union with the remainder OF
Jugo- Slavia would be much like that of
Norway and Sweden when these two states
formed one kingdom, or the position Ireland
will occupy toward Great Britain once the
Home Rule act is in operation The Croa-
tians and the Slovenes have drawn most of
their culture from their Austrian masters
and though they have remained Slav at heart
constant intercourse with the Austrian has
put its imprint on their civilization. II they
were not given a great measure Of autonomy
there might be friction with the other Jugo-
Slavs which have preserved the Orthodox
religion and whose training, upbrnging and
education have not been subjected TO the
same foreign influences.
Jugo-Slavia would have population of
over thirteen millions, would possess terri
tory second to none in the world in fertility
and r.ineral wealth and inhabited by strong
and sturdy race which has preserved its ma
tiona virtues and characteristics intact
through centuries of foreign oppression. But
such a state must, if IL is TO reach its high
est development, possess a seaboard and the
necessary harbors for it's seaborne com
MERGE The harbors of Jugo-Slavia lie on
the Adriatic, and il is this that brings US
to the most delicate point Of the problem
and the one most calculated 20 arouse Italian
susceptibility Supremacy in the Adrlatlc
has been the dream of every Italian for a
century. But such dreams are apt to be-
come a sort of "fetich," rendering the nation
intoerant Of any suggestion which could be
construed into possible menace.
Once Austra-Hungary is driven from the
shores of the Adriatc and Italy, by the
possession Of Vaona, has it in her power
TO close the exit or entrance to that sea one
does not see how any further menace TO
Italian naval supremacy could exist This
could only be challenged by power possess
ing n strong and powerful navy; the mere
possession of commercial haTbors does not
suffice. As Jugo-Slavia does not possess a
navy and the creation of one could be pro-
hibited by the international charter call
ing the new state into being, II could, there
fore. never be source Of danger TO ltaly's
naval supremacy in the Adriatlc. But so
strong is the influence of the Adriatic
Fetch" with a large section OF the Italians
that the question Of the seaports for Jugo-
Slayia will undoubtedly constitute the most
difficult phase in the creation Of the new
state.
II il for this reason that the governments
and the nations should, des maintenant, be-
Gin the study Of the problem Of according
70 Juoo- Slavia the seaports she needs and
desires while giving to Italy complete as
surance that her naval supremacy in the
Adriatic is not and shall not be menaced.