The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-30

zini were the greatest friends of the freedom of our people ruled by Aus tria- Hungary.
 (d) Strategical frontiers are neces- sary to the conquerors. Had Germany not conquered Alsace-Lorraine for strategical reasons there would be no Franco German conflict.
 Gel Our people would never close their doors to free competition by world industry, and the economical precautions of the Italians are very much like the "accaparement des marches balkanique," as the Germans
 and the Austrians practiced it in the
 Balkans before this war.
 CD The united Servians, Croats and
 Slovenes in close friendship with Italy will form the best barrier to the Ger
 man policy of conquest. 50 much for our press and that of Italy. Servia regrets the dispute but
 firmly hopes that reason, justice, right and the principle of nationality will
 prevail and that in future our relations With the Italian people will be the best SERVIA AND GREECE When the Servian people rose against the Turks in 1904 their leader, the grandfather of Rink Peter, had an alliance with Greece. That policy of alliance and friendship Servia has con- tinued up to the presnt day Since 1912 defensive alliance with stipulations for mutual armed help has existed be- tween Servia and Greece. When in 1914 Turkey was about to attack Greece, the latter apepaled to Servia to fulfil her duty as an ally, and Ser Via declared at Constantinople that Greece was her ally. When Servia in the course of the present war in tine
 most difficult circumstances asked Greece for help, King Constantine, the brother-in-law of William IT, at his Iinstigation, hindered Greece from full filling her duty as an ally. But let us lay that aside. It is past The present holds good prospects for the best re-
 lations in the future between the Ser. via and Greek nations, who have mu- tual interest. The questions which di- trifling.
 SERVIA AND ALBANIA 'Servia was, in 1913. against the creation of an independent Albania on the ground that it's sponsors were Aus tria- Hungary and Germany, and that their plan was to use Albania as their instrument for the conquest of the Bal
 kans. It's ruler was German prince whose work during his short rule was directed against Servia and Greece and toward Austria Hungary. After this war Servia will have nothing against an Albania as created by the European powers at the ambassadorial conference in London in 1913. the chief condition being that Alabania shall be completely autonomous. Such an Al
 bania. an Albania which has been on our side in this war. Servia will ac- cept in Balkan community Servia must absolutely oppose any foreign interference or protectorate in Al bania.
 BULGARIA AND SERVIA Until this terrible war the servians nave considered the Bulgarians as Slavs and as their-uncomfortable ble-brothers Servia has aided in their liberation. but they have chiefly to thank the Russians for their freedom from tho Turkish yoke They received their new state precafeal- ly as gift, and they have had since the beginning of their new life the Ger mans, Alexander of Battenberg and Ferdinand of Coburg. for their rulers. The Bulgarians kept aloof from the Servians and Russians and were more friendly with our enemies. And during this war they have proved that they are not Slavs. but Turanians
 Tn 1885 we made a mistake. We pro- voked and conducted a war against Bull garia which we lost but we learned the lesson that the only sound policy for the Balkan peoples and for Europe Is one of concord. From 1887 to 1912 there were attempts at an understanding betweel Servia and Bulgaria. Why did they fail Between us were two obstacles Bu3
 garian victory in 1885 and Macedonia,
 and the latt~ was the principal stun-