The reconstruction of South-Eastern Europe

THE RECONSTRUCTION OF

give expression to it by singing his simple village song: “Oh, Moravo—dear village of the Plains.”

In the thousands of letters they sent home, these soldiers who beat the armies of three military States, never mentioned their military achievements, but were always interested in the health of their dear ones at home, in the prospects of the forthcoming harvest, in the condition of their cattle, dwelling with special tenderness upon questions concerning the cows and young calves left at their farms. These letters, perhaps more than their victories, bore testimony to the pure simplicity of their minds, to the unconscious bravery of their hearts, to the noble pity and tenderness that was in their souls. This warlike race seems always to have fought against its will. This nation, which during long centuries has sung all the events of its history, has made no song to celebrate the fortunate wars of King Milutin and King Zvonimir, or to glorify the victories of the Tsar Dusan. They have sung the heroes of Kossoyo because they were martyrs, they have glorified the Uskoks because they were the avengers of their race against Turkish oppressors. They have never understood a war of conquest, as all their wars have been wars of strict self-defence, to stem the tide of foreign invasion.

Like all Slav peoples, the Serbo-Croats are peaceful and confiding; they look upon war as

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