The reconstruction of South-Eastern Europe

SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPE

Strategic reasons also impeded the accomplishment of Italian unity, leaving South Tyrol in Austrian bondage. The direct results of such policy have been fear and hatred, and their lawful heir the military burdens under which the European nations have laboured during the last sixty years. How can we expect or hope that an Italian occupation of the Serbo-Croatian provinces, and the enslavement by her of a million of Southern Slavs, can give different results? It is an axiom in science that similar causes produce similar effects. But if, in spite of all sincere warning, the nascent Italian Imperialism, following blindly the teaching of German militarists, will try under the pretence of strategic frontiers to occupy the Balkan lands and to keep in subjection the Slavonic population inhabiting them, Italy will inherit the weakness of Austria and, while greatly injuring her Slav neighbour, will endanger her own freedom and the peace of Europe. The Italian militarists wish to occupy these lands in the name of military efficiency. But the security of Italy, and the progress of the Italian demoeracy, will be brought into peril by that very worship of efficiency. From the adversity which, after this war, will fall upon the German people lies a lesson for the Italian Imperialists. Sorely burdened by the occupation of an alien population, threatened by a warlike and united nation such as the Southern Slavs, the Italians would

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