Evening star., 1919-03-15
BALKAN UNREST
CONESNTO|TS0WN
Head Writers Treatment of
Situation Justified by Wars
Developments.
NEW CONFLICT FORESEEN
BY HERBERT COREY.


(This is the first of a series of eight
articles by Mr.. Corey, who has just
completed a tour of Jugoslavia- In
them he discusses existing conditions
and tells of the probable results OF the
rival claims of Jugosfavia and Italy
for the Dalmatian coast)
ZAGREB. Croatia, February 20 by
maiD.-For years before the world
war began the Paris correspondents
had a standing story for dull Sundays.
The American headline artists regard
ed it with nausea. They usually put
this rest-deadeninE caption over it.:
Unrest In the Balkans"
Eut eventually the world war came
ana those who are trying to trace
back it's source find that the Balkan
unrest was one of the sure indications
OF the trouble to come. Today set OF
conditions exists which is in meas
ure comparable to those which famed
up in 1913. Unless the peace confer
ence finds the right solution there will
be war one of these days, sure as
eggs is eggs. Europe being what Eu-
rope is, such war might concesvaoiy
start the world fighting again. That
the man who suggested that a world
conflict might come was set down as
little short Of an idiot.
Sees Danger in Friction.
Never mind. for the moment. the af-
fairs in which Rumania and Bull
garia and Greece and Turkey are en-
broiled. They seem comparatively
easy of solution. The chief danger is
faf
of Jugoslavia and Italy. Jugosiavia
is mobilizing new army at Lu-
biana The Italian forces are holding
as conquered territory that part OF
the Dalmatian coast which Jugo-
Slavia. claims as her own.
eff we do not get Dalmatia We shall
fight Italy some day." the Jugoslav
leaders told me, quite candidly. "Not
now. perhaps. but some day."
1--WE fear the S1av menace" is the
Italian position. I'VE must have Dali
malta to protect ourselves"
In the effort to understand an ad-
mittedly dangerous situation. I have
come to Jugoslavia. 1 visited part
of the Dalmatian coast claimed by
the two sides. have seen some
thing of Bosnia. Herzegovina, Croatia,
and Slavonia, and saw the new Jugo-
slav government in operation at Bel
grade.
Says Italy Seeks Conflict.
Although the fact is Of slight i'm
portance, I saw the first newspaper
men from the outside world to reach
the Jugoslav interior. My conclu-
sion is that Italy is now pursuing
definitely provocative course. She u
trying to bring about an open con-
f1ict with the Jugoslavs.
"Most of them were untn recently
n
said to me. 1--WE have the same right
to occupy an enemy country with
armed forces that the entente has to
put an army of occupation on the
Rhine. We wish TO present fait ac-
compli to the peace conference"
The Jugos1av reply is:
ITALY is trying to compel us to re-
sist her by force. Then she would
present US to the peace conference as
dangerous elements whose country
must be garrisoned. We are too smart
for her. We will accept the decision
what that may be. But il we are
robbed of the Da1matian seacoast we
shall attack Italy when the time
seems ripe"
Later on the italian reasons for de-
manding possession of the Dalmatian
the moment it is important to under
stand Just what Jugoslavia is and
hopes to be. Above everything else,
Jugoslavfa hopes to be free. Her
leaders do not visualize her in the fu-
ture as a great nation or a vrarlike
one. They do hope that for the first
time in centuries the Slavs may have
a country of their own.
For 500 years Serbia fought the
Moslem and for freedom. 1t is only
few years ago, comparatively, that
she won a nominal independence.
ho
nomic yoke of Austria Hungary In
those 500 years there never was a ma
ton. perhaps, that was so often and
so thoroughly whipped. Yet she al
ways fought again. Montenegro
never has been whipped. 1t is true
that the Austrians occupied Montene-
gro, but the Montenegrin warriors for
the most part moved out and fought
elsewhere.
Held in Subsection by Force.
The remainder OF the present Jugo-