Columbia Studies in the Social Sciences Volume 39 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1911 edition. Excerpt: ... taking over of Bosnia and Herzegovina has not only-blasted the hopes of the Servians for a union with other groups of Serbs, but has left them in fear for the future .welfare and even the safety of their own kingdom. In view of the present outlook in Servia, it is no doubt quite natural that her people should revive the idea of a federation of the Balkan states.1 So far as is generally known, however, the representations intended to urge the expediency and even the necessity of such a movement have not met, lately, with any particular response. If the people in the Balkan peninsula could at once accept the attempt now being made to establish constitutional government in Turkey as furnishing a final solution of the Macedonian question, then the present outlook for a Balkan confederation might seem more favorable. But there are indications already (Feb., 1910) that some of the states bordering on Macedonia are inclined to interfere with the administration of affairs there under the new Turkish regime.2 It is well known at the same time that for several years past strife has been engendered between some of these states by the overlapping of their claims to the loyalty of parts of the mixed Macedonian population. In view of all this, unless there should be some real danger from without, a federation of these states seems for the time being quite im.probable. It may be said then that the present situation in relation to Macedonia, as well as to Servia, presents the problems that now appear most likely to disturb the tranquillity of one or more of the Balkan states.8 1 Fortnightly Kevieiv (1909), vol. xci, pp. 1040 et seq.; Outlook (New York, i9oq), vol. xcii, pp. 353 et seq. '1London Times, Feb. 3, 1910. In addition to references already...