Evening star., 1917-01-21
Serbda's New Washington Legation May Determine
Future Balkan Relations of the United States

she is assured of economic independ-
ence, Notwithstanding that she is out
side the actual sphere OF the economic
pacts of the allies.
How far the entente allies VIII be
able TO assure this economic independ-
ence of Serbia is involved III the poiiti-
cal questions that viii have TO be de-
termined. Germany, if she be even
halfway successful. cannot AFFORD, as
an empire. to have her way to Con
stantinople and Bagdpd blocked by
buffer dependent of the western pow
ers. II is Serbia's misfortune that geo
graphically she lies across the path OF
German expansion in the near east. The
entente allies. on their part. If they are
to bar Germany's expansion, must Gre
ate strong Serbian nation.
They are not likely to do this out OF
love to the Serbians After the assas-
sination of King Alexander. England
for a while refused to accredit a min
lister to what was called the regicide
government, and Englishmen in the
present campaign have shown their
dislike of the Serbian peasants, because
the latter had not reached the British
standard Of hygiene.
France has been more sympathetic 90
Serbia and the Serbans. and when hos
tilities opened was financing various
projects for the Serbian government by
means of a loan.
Though Englishmen as individuals
dislike the Serbians, and although the
customary military hardness of the al
lies left the gallant Serbian army to
make the fight against the German
army almost alone. the bigger question
looms up, and in the final settlement,
aside from the sentimental regard
which is professed for the small ma
tions, the entente allies will by force Of
r,tr hn lyls11 lad
the champions of Serbia.
Americans, who gave practical eI-
preston to their admiration for the
bravery of the Serbians by establishing
hospitals and stamping out typhus, as
well as through other agencies. are not
likely to lose their interest in the fate
Of the country, whatever their views
may be about entangling alliances. The
accrediting of a minister 10 Washing
ton is likely to quicken their sympa-
thies for Serbia and to interest them
especially in future diplomatic rela-
tions.
The United States now has minister
accredited to the Balkan states. His
seat of government of Rumania, that is.
at Bucharest. He rarely visited Bull
garia or Serbia, the consular represent
atives at Sofia and Belgrade looking
after our interests at those capitals
With the war raging il would. of
course. be impracticable for him to
visit the countries arrayed on opposite
sides. as are Bulgaria and Serbia, and
special agents of the State Department,
who were experienced diplomatic Off
cials, We're sent to those countries.
In some circumstances Washington
might find it advisable to have Com
gress make special provision for u min
lister to Serbia. but the Likelihood -
that nothing viii be done until after
the war. There are several unattached
representatives OF the State Depart
ment. former ministers with diplomatic
experience, who are exercising their
functions as representatives of the
United States in the war area, and this
device will probably serve to meet
whatever situation may arise until the
final settlement comes.
In the meantime il will be a distinct
for Serbia to have min
lister in Washington