The reconstruction of South-Eastern Europe

THE RECONSTRUCTION OF

This future State, inhabited by a homogeneous warlike nation of about fourteen millions, will be, from the military point of view, in a better position than Belgium to defend herself from any future attack. But unlike Belgium she will be for a prolonged period in great need of financial and economic assistance from abroad.

The present struggle has made obvious the truth that national and political interests must precede the purely commercial and economic ones. During the last generation France, because of her national interests has financially assisted Russia, although economically and commercially Russia was in far greater dependence on Germany. The future Slav State called to life by the superhuman endurance and sacrifices of her people, and by generous help and blood sacrifices also of Great Britain and France, is their most natural ally from a national and military point of view. Great Britain will have every political and national interest to assist the progress and development of the Southern Slav State as a wall protecting her own peace and communications.

The question arises now what can this State, independently of any political consideration, offer to Great Britain, from a purely economic and commercial interest, in exchange for British financial and economic assistance? Fortunately for both of them their economic interests are in such complete agreement, that the harmony of

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