Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-02-19
NEW BOOK DESCRIBES
NEAR EAST CONDITIONS
Lectures by Stephen Panarc-
toa Published by Nc
MILAN & Go.
Near Enst Affairs. and Conditions.
Lectures by stephen Pnnhretofr
bulgarian Minister to the United
StnteH,

Although the Balkans have been
In tho public eye for centuries. few
people here or even in the Balkans
have more than cursory knowledge
or tho state of affairs in that dis
tracted area. Stories OF wars of the
Balkans have been looked upon as
matters of course By readers OF the
papers. and while sleeping geoEra-
phical recollectIons may have been
awakened By detailed accounts of
merry wars between the BulERrs. the
Serbs. the MontencErans and all the
others. few in this country have
looked seriously or earnestly into the
affairs Of the distrauEht nations, and
lew know anything worth while
about the peoples. the customs, the
habits. the business. religion or So
cial and political conditions Of the
balkans.
While various organizations. So
cicties and individuals are seeking
funds for the relief Of the people OF
bleeding Near East. and thousands
OF citizens OF this country are p!ac-
ing their mites in the Golfers Of the
general fund. II might be well to
take time and learn something Of this
division OF Europe. where molehills
suddenly turn into mountains. and
peaceful streams into raging tor
rents.
The Mcmillan Company has Just
issued an attractive volume, embrace
ing n series OF lectures delivered by
stephen Panaretor. Bulgarian Minis
ter to the United states. before the
students OF Williams College. rccit-
ing the history OF tho various States
OF the Balkan Pcninsular, their re-
lationship with other European pow
ers. their church and literature edu-
cation, political development. the
kan confederation. TheSe lectures
are calculated to give tho reader
about as much information concern
ing the Near East problems as can be
procured anywhere. They review
efforts at the establishment OF n
Balkan confederation. and the Gull
tured author tries To show, with
some success. although the writer
speaks from the standpoint of Bull
gar. that the causes OF tho failure OF
such confederation are not nearly
due TO bulgarian influences, Ruman-
ian obstinacy nor Serbian mechina :
lions. as to a combination OF all,
with some contributions from Mace
donia. Greece, Turkey and other
smaller nations.
He hints ut sinister influences
from WltUOut, Su'u bShN
Ing to create dlStrust among the
little nations themselves because OF
the interference OF intriguing ennis
snrics of tho great powers. whether
from the ranks of the old allies or
the triple alliance or the central
powers themselves.
Mr.. Panarcton hopes to broaden
tho Views of the people through these
valuable contributions to the history
o! the Balkans. thereby promoting
an interest in the real efforts oil
patriots Ia their attempts to form
the Balkan confederation OF free
states The story OF the Slays from
the early centuries TO today is told
instruct!vely and cntertaininEly. IL
tells OF the Introduction of Chris
tianity by the BulEars in y. D. SEA
and the establishment of the Slavic
alphabet about that time, and dis
closes the incidents In connection
with the fall OF the Byzantine en-
pirc in 1853. 4 most readable and
timely hook. H. T.