The reconstruction of South-Eastern Europe

vi PREFACE

principle of the freedom and independence of all European nations, both small and great, the safeguarding of which our statesmen, with the full assent of our people, have proclaimed to be our principal object in the war. It is expedient, because it promises to add to the European commonwealth a new and valuable member, by the creation of a State inhabited by a brave and industrious people, who would not only increase the general wealth and prosperity by the improvement of the natural resources of their country, but by their union, their courage, and high military qualities would oppose a firm barrier to any future encroachments of Austro-German ambition in the Balkans, and would thus offer to the whole of Europe a solid guarantee of peace by removing, or at all events powerfully counteracting, what appears to have been the main cause of the present European catastrophe.

On these grounds, alike of justice and expediency, which never really diverge from each other by a hair’s breadth, though to vulgar eyes they often appear to do so by miles, I commend the writer’s eloquent plea to the candid consideration of the British public and of British statesmen.

J. G. FRAZER.

1 Brick Court, Temple, December 22, 1916.

1 as