The reconstruction of South-Eastern Europe

THE RECONSTRUCTION OF

was deeply disappointed by the results of her successful campaign against Turkey. It is very probable that at least one portion of Russian society remains not over-confident concerning the results of the present struggle. Russians know very well that they would always find a ready ear with Serbo-Croatian militarists in case the unity and liberation of their kinsfolk has not been accomplished. Everybody who knows the ardent patriotism and the intensity of the national feeling among the Southern Slavs will at once recognise that the unjust solution of their national aspirations would leave a sore wound, which never could be healed until it brings a fresh terrible crisis over Southern Europe. It-is evident that the Imperialists of Russia would avail themselves of the SerboCroatian grievances as of a mighty weapon, first to fight democratic tendencies at home, and secondly to use them for promoting their own political views abroad. The European democracy has every interest not to give to the Russian military party that weapon. Thus the Italian militarists arguing for the occupation of the Dalmatian Archipelago to insure Italy against imaginary Russian danger would play into the hands of the Russian Imperialists, and bring that danger very near and make it very real. But apart from Serbia and Russia there remains Germany. One of the first acknowledged aims for which Great Britain and the 166