Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-10-19
RECOGNITION OF RUSSIA
is MENACE TO HERRIOT
Question One of Political Expediency.
Peasants in Balkans May
Sway Peninsula.

tlhcatlon OF present general policies.
From various points in Jugoslavfa
and Albania. not to speak of Bull
garia, through humble representa-
tiVes. there was voiced unity of pur-
pose, and. to one end
There should be formed an interna-
tional organization of Balkan peas
ants that should dominate the policies
of governments. and, in case it should
be found impossible to gain desired
ends peaceably. then governments
should be ousted and new ones more
In sympathy with progress and gain
ful pursuits be established. Radich,
the great Croatian leader. espoused
the cause of a rejuvenated Balkan
peninsula through peasant co-opera-
ton. Popovitch of Serbia whose phi
losophies have gained widespread at
tentIon not only in his own, but other
countries as well. and Ferhad Bey OF
Albania marshaled their forces. When.
the session ended the peasants of the
Balkans had reached decisions look
ing toward concerted action.
What Peasants Desire.
The peasants of the Balkans
through their Green Internationale
Will battle against the red" com
munism of Russia as they will battle
against those elements deemed highly
iHuuslTid anu CdpltdHStlC, elements
represented, as they claim, in existing
governments. The Balkan peasant is
opposed to governmental corruption
and they charge the present regimes
are overrun with this very thing.
They insist. that militaristic groups
now holding power by the very domi-
nence of bayonets cannot be expected
to handle the affairs of really
agricultural Balkan country in sym
pathetic fashion. Inasmuch as pre-
vailing regimes are slow to give the
peasants broader representation, the
peasants intend to demand it at
whatever cost. Under the proposed
system there would be no commun-
ism. as represented by division of
property. overthrow of religions and
confiScation of the fruits of individ-
ual effort by communiStic states, but
the peasants of the various Balkan
nations would be brought in such
close touch that their efforts and
purposes might be termed commun
| istic in character. But it would be a
peaceful communism, one respecting
the rights of all in the interest of
general progress.
In brief, the peasants, IL those
assembling at Vrpolje are represent
alive of the majority of the people
of the Balkans, then the Balkans,
one of the stormiest little bits of
territory in the wide world, one OF
the most combative by instinct, would
turn swords into pillow shares and
pruning hooks. Not only the Balkans
but the continent as whole would
profit by the transition. Unquestion-
! ably the larger powers of Europe will
| closely watch progress of the peas
/ ants cause, for il is not.only fraught
| with advantages, but dangers.
Serbian Issues to Fore.
In connection with the Balkans, an
interesting situation has arisen dur
ing the past week in Serbia, where
the Davidovitch government. which
sought to bring about agreement be-
tween the Serbs and the Croats, was
overthrown because of the influence
of the white hand" representing
the militarist eemenss surrounding
the court Radich of Croatia had de-
manded that the Serbian army be re
duced in proportion to the size and
needs of the country, it generally
being recognized that the present
military establishment of Serbia IS
in excess of all logical demands.
Isadich made this issue contingent
upon the Croats' admittance to the
government, from which they long
withheld their support. Naturally
the Serb-Croat issue flares to the fore.
The question is really more than d
tempest in a teapot for the Serbs and
Croats have been at daggers points
since Croatia was allotted to the
Jugoslavs through the treaties o.
peace. 1t has been an extremely
difficult proposition to reconcile the
conflicting viewpoints. and revolution
has and is still feared. 1t is expect
ed that Pachich, representative Of the
truly Serbian viewpoint in regard to
the Croatian question, again will as
sumo the position of premier, but
there is grave doubt that he will re-
main long. 1t is known fact that
the Greats are increasing in strength
and Radich. who is leader of the
Croats, will bring every pressure to
bear against him. Unless there be
some mediating influence within the
course of the next year or SO there il
certain to be resort to revolutionary
conflict.
In connection with this, however
Radich's activities must be watched.
Should he succeed in increas sing the
strength of the Green Interna-
tionale," the: Balkan peasants organ
ization. and it should declare against
the Belgrade government, the Serb
Croat question would be merged with
the more general problem of claim
ing the Balkans for the peasants
Croatia then might become independ-
ent. Possibly it is this contingency
that causes the militarists, who have
the support of the king, to cling to
their at present large armies and
insist that there be no reduction.