As the express hurried me toward Berlin, I reflected that since the
Russian-Japanese War, Russia, weakened as she was, felt her influence
in European affairs waning. I knew it was about time for her to make
a desperate effort to regain European prestige. I recalled that upon
Russia's plight after the Japanese war, Austria immediately annexed
Herzegovina and Bosnia. She did this with the tacit understanding and
backing up of Germany. I knew that as a result of this, Russia was
again at work in the Balkans. Greeks, Servians, Bulgarians, and
Montenegrins, up till now suicidal enemies, were arriving at an
understanding. There are as many differences of nationalities, castes
and opinions in the Balkans as there are in India and it took clever
manipulation, much money, and strenuous efforts on the part of Russia
to unite these countries under Russian influence. The visit of the
Crown Prince of Servia to Sofia, the Bulgarian capital, was engineered
by Russia, and was a triumphant success in bringing about an
understanding between Bulgaria and Servia. It absolutely unified
Servia and Bulgaria. Why then the completely changed attitude of
Servia and Bulgaria after their mutual successes against the Turk?
Presently I shall show you the vast undercurrent forces forever moving
beneath the Balkan situation.
I recalled having heard high Servian officials speculate as to their
chances of reviving the ancient empire, so with the Bulgarians.
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