The reconstruction of South-Eastern Europe

THE RECONSTRUCTION OF

avail or satisfy them, and any hybrid solution would only prolong their misery and the struggle of nations for the dominion over South-Eastern Europe. For centuries the Southern Slavs have been the prey of the Germans and “ the vampire State of the Magyars battening upon the blood of the neighbouring nations ””—to use the fit expression of Mr. Seton Watson—but the last struggle has exhausted their energies to such a degree that only by offering a united front can they with success resist the German menace, which will remain real even after Germany’s defeat in the present war. We beg the reader to think for a moment what will be the destiny of the Slovenes, numbering merely 1,300,000, in case they should not be united with the SerboCroats. Can they have any hope to resist with any chance of success the tremendous force of German expansion? Exhausted in the struggle, deceived in their hopes of freedom and unity, they must bow to the inevitable and accept the German dominion as a decree of fate. Will Great Britain, France, or Russia ever again arm all their forces in order to come to their rescue ? Why should they create for themselves difficulties where they do not exist ?

The same would happen in the case of an indecisive victory of the Allies and of a partial satisfaction of the Southern Slav aspirations. What value can the addition of one or two provinces inhabited by Serbs have for Serbia, while other

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