The reconstruction of South-Eastern Europe

THE RECONSTRUCTION OF

ised and fortified Central Europe both economically and militarily could she, with far greater chance of success, throw down her challenge to Great Britain and the whole world.

The Magyars, too, considering Serbia as a standing obstacle and as a memento-mori of their policy of oppression and magyarisation, supported wholeheartedly the plan of Germany and the ambitions of the Crown. Regardless of consequences and remorseless for the awful crime they plotted against European civilisation, they were ready to sacrifice ten millions of brave hearts, merely in order that a clique in a small nation, which is by no means a very important member in the European community, could uphold its sway over millions of other races alien in thought and sentiment. Better to make a hell of Hungary than to deprive the Magyars of their unjustly kept dominant position.

In the service of Germany, Austria-Hungary was able to draw upon thirty-five millions of Slavs and Latins to fight German battles against their own consent and interest. With such resources Austria-Hungary could not win: her forces were routed in Serbia, beaten in Russia and Italy, and subsequently were put under the complete command of Germany.

As we cannot for a moment imagine that the Central Empires might come out victorious, we are to ask what will become of Austria in case

1 F, Neumann, Mitieleuropa. Berlin, 1915. 20