Evening star., 1924-02-25
IN .TODAY'S SPOTLIGHT
BY PAUL Y. COLLINS

The cables bring the uhweicome re-
port that new Balkan war may
break out this spring between Bull
garia and Jugoslavia. The latter
country comprises Serbia, Slavonia.
Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro. Herze-
govina, Dalmatia, Carniola, Backa and
part Of Macedonia.
Bulgaria Is charged with harboring
revenge for her defeat In the second
Balkan war In 1913. when she and
her allies Of the Balkan-Turkish war
of 1912 quarreled over the division
of the spoils-the territory Of Mace
donia, taken from Turkey in Europe
and divided between Greece and Ser
bia, leaving Bulgaria with no reward
for her part in helping drive out the
Turks.
*&* y .>>
The occasion of the first Balkan
Turkish war was the intolera BILE per-
secution of the Christians of Mace
donia by Turkey, which then ruled
that country. The great powers had
permitted Turkey to continue her
prosecutions, lest they become in
volved in mutual Quarrels after a
possible driving out of the Turks.
Finally the Christian nations in the
Balkans ignored the great powers
and formed an alliance comprising
Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria and Monte
negro. Each country contributed an
independent army and fought an in
dependent part of the campaign,
eventually driving Turkey out Of
Macedonia and Of all Europe except
such territory as lies est of a line
drawn from Midia on the Black sea to
Constantinople in Turkeys possess
sion.
As soon as Turkey had been, driven
from Macedonia, Greek troops began
to occupy territory therein which
was already In the hands of Bulgarian
| troops. Serbia set up the claim that
| she had not received territory in pro-
i,portion to her. victories over. the
| Turks. and repudiated secret treaty
| she had made with Bulgaria in 1912.
regarding the division of territory in
case Of victory over Turkey. The
basis Of this Reputation was her dis
appointment in not being given Al
| bania, which had remained pros
| Bulgaria, too, was dissatisfied be-
cause the great powers, now inter-
! vening. insisted that Rumanta be
| given a southern strategic boundary.
| which involved Silistria "a territory
| claimed by Bulgaria). as had been
| agreed to as the price of Rumanta's s
remaining neutral In the Balkan
| Turkish war.
The outcome Of all these disputes
| was the reopening Of the Balkan war.
] Greece and Serbia were now aligned
| against Bulgaria, with Turkey re-
| entering as an ally of Bulgaria.
Greece and Serbia won this second
| Balkan war" and thereupon divided
| Macedonia between themselves, leav-
| ing Bulgaria out of the division of
T; all spoils Of the first Balkan war.
| Turkey regained Adrianople, which
had been taken from her by Bull
garia in. the first Balkan war.
| Greece won parts Of Macedonia,
part of Albania and a small part of
Thrace-a total Of 1900 square
miles. Serbia was put In command
Of $4,000 square miles Of added ter
forced to give up to Rumania 1000
/ square miles OF her former domain
| ** 4 \
| The world war began with
the murder Of the Grand Duke of
Austria, while on a tour Of "inspec-
ton" tn Serbia, It having been plotted
by Austria Hungary and Germany
that Serbia was to become dominat-
ed by Austria Hungary. 1t Is al
legged that the allies imagined that
they were making diplomatic head
way tn winning ;BulgaetAe with 1T