Trench and camp. [volume] (Augusta, Ga.) 1917-1919, 1918-02-27
THE BALKANS.
(By Or. George f. zook, Professor Of
Modern European History, State
College, Pa.)

scars for many long year. To be sure,
there are other such plague-spots in the
world but none so important as this one
Seldom has a year gone by during the
last forty years when the foreign offices
of the great powers were not at odds over
the situation below the Danube. Indeed,
the Balkans were chiefly responsible for
the present alliances which now obtain in
Europe, and it was over a Balkan ques-
ton that the Great War broke out, Ger
tainly the Importance of Sefvia, Bulga-
ria, Greece and Turkey is out of all pro-
portion to their size.
The two countries most interested in the
situation In northeastern Europe are Rus
STA and Austria Hungary, Russia pleads
common racial and religious character
istics with the Balkan states. Both are
Slavic and both profess the Greek or
thodoX religion Moreover, Russia claims
that her economic welfare is bound up
with the opportunity to carry her goods
through the Dardanelies into the, Medi-
terTean Sea- For this reason she has
long insisted that Constantinople was her
legitimate prize.
Austria was driven out of Germany in
1866 and out of Italy in 1871. She was
deprived of her two ancient fields of ex-
pansion and diplomacy. The union eff
feeted with Hungary in 1857 seemed TO
point to the southeast as the future field
for her expansion, and by the year 1876
she had accepted this theory. In the fol-
lowing year, Russia provoked q war with
Turkey over the terrible atrocities prac-
ticed by the Ottomans on Bulgaria Christ
ians. After bitter campaign, the Rus
unSpealSable Turk out of Europe, bag and
baggage" The other European countries
stepped in, however, and by the Treaty OF
Berlin, compelled Russia to return large
part Of the Turkish dominion to the Sui
tan. At this time Russia was especial
iy DESTROYS of creating big Bulgaria"
Macedonian territory so carefully returned
to Turkey by the Great Powers in the
Treaty OF Berlin. incidentally, Austria
Hungary, which had had nothing to do
minister Bosnia and Herzegovina, two
Turkish provinces lying northwest of
Seryia. Great Britain also helped her.
self to the island of Cyrpus in the Medi
terranean Sea.
A Great Mistake.
The Treaty Of Berlin is the starting
point of present-day international rela-
tions. Russia was thoroughly Inundated
by the jealousy which had been exhibited
by Germany Austria Hungary, and Great
Britain. So, too, was Bulgaria, which |
had undoubtedly failed to receive all the
territory which was inhabited chiefly by
the excessive ambitions of Russia at this |
time, certainly the return of SO much ter |
ritory to Turkey was one OF the greatest |
mistakes ever made by European diplo- |
hands of the Trunks it would be made the |
subject of endless international intrigue |
Great Britain need fear Russla.s wrath |
only in Asia but, lest Russia should again |
take up the gauntlet in favor of her kins
men and co-religienists, Germany and
Austria Hungary straightway buried their
ancient rivalry and formed the flrst or
the alliances which have obtained to the
present day.
When Austria Hungary took charge OF
Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1878, she add
ed a very large number of SlaVs 70 the
already considerable number which she
ruled in Croatia and other parts of the
crate crate policy poiey Of Austria Hungary ever
Slavic elements of her population. Exten-
sive internal improvements have Deen
made to be sure, but always With the
idea of roofing out the Slavic language
and civilization. In doing this, Austria
Hungary has come in contact with Ser
via Servia has come to stand as the
hope of the South Slavs in their desire for
national union. Austfia-Hungary first
controlled the weak kings of that eoun-
try but in more recent years, since the
Servians have awakened to national con-
seriousness and have received the dlp!,o-
matte assistance of Russia, they have de-
fled their powerful neighbor. The Austro-
Hungarians then deliberately laid their
plans for the acquisition of further Turk
ish territory which should take them south
through Novi- Bazaar and Western Mace
donia, and ultimately give to them the
great mort of Salonica on the Aegean
Sea BY this means Seryia would be cut
off permanently both from the Aegean
and Adriatic seas, and would be COMPEL;
ed to remain a nation of swine herds
by the outrageous discriminating tariffs
levied on Servian products. exported to
Austria Hungary.
The Balkan Alliance.
The further prosecution Of Aq qs
plans was rudely interrupted by the al
lance of the Balkan states in 1912. For
the first time the little fellows had got
ten together for the purpose of driving
the Turks out of Europe. They buried
their mutual jealouses and announced
that they would settle their own prob
lens in the Balkans without consulting
the great powers. The Turkish army,
trained by German officials, was no match
for the Balkan allies Servia's portion
of the booty was to be Albania-the long
desired outlet to the sea- But, before
the Balkan allies had accomplishing their
purpose, the great powers stepped in to
interfere with the settlement. Austria
Hungary announced that Albania must be
set up an independent principally. Prince
William of WED was sent from Germany
guaranteed a salary, given castle To-
Gated conveniently near the sea, and furn-
ished with all other necessary accessories,
including designs for his postage stamps
in order to govern that motley collection