The reconstruction of South-Eastern Europe

SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPE

existence. . . . To perpetuate the disunion of these territories by leaving many of them under Austro-Hungarian rule, or to transfer even a portion of them to another alien rule, would be a flagrant violation of our ethnographical and economic unity, and to this our people would unquestionably oppose a vigorous and justifiable resistance.”’ Lord Crewe, who in the absence of Sir Edward Grey received them at the Foreign Office, gave them some words of comfort and encouragement, but also left the door open for grave apprehensions lest the Southern Slav lands would serve to satisfy the appetites for the commercial and strategical claims of their neighbours. It is obvious that with regard to the Southern Slav question the British policy is vacillating, lacking as yet comprehension and _ boldness. Since it is the tradition in England that Government can act boldly only when backed by a powerful opinion at home, it is the duty of the British enlightened public to raise its voice, and to urge the Government to act with the necessary determination and foresight. Then we may be sure that British Diplomacy will prove equal to the task of securing in that quarter of Europe both the interests of the British tax-payers and those higher interests of justice and liberty in Europe.

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