The Rising Power of the Slavs
ONE of the disquieting features of the political situation in Europe is the growing union and activity of the Slav race. What the frenzied activity of this age will do in very short periods of time as the war-mad nations are being marshaled for Armageddon, it is hard to predict. The activity among the Slavs is well set forth in the following paragraph from the Christian World: “One of the great facts of the present time is the rise of the Slav nations to power and influence. The present war with Turkey has enormously furthered this fact, and every one acquainted with the spirit animating the Slavic nations is aware of the new ambitions which have been aroused, and of the determination of the Slav committees throughout the east and southeast of Europe to press forward the pan-Slavist idea. The air is full of the idea of a greater Servia, a greater Bulgaria, an Illyrian empire on the Adriatic, Slav ports in Greek waters, Slav railways through territory which was once Turkish. Teeming Slav populations are aspiring to free institutions, to education, and to a dominating voice in the counsels of Europe. Socialism has its terrors for Germany, the revival of France is also an ugly dream for the German statesman; but far away more threatening for the pan-German is the shadow of the steady, ruthless on-march of the Slav. Germany has its pressure from within; she has a pressure on her western frontier which gives her strategists no rest, and which lays ever fresh burdens on the people; but the greatest pressure is in the East, and it is towards the East that the anxious gaze of her statesman is directed. — Pan-Slavism is triumphing all along the line. It is easy to prognosticate. There must come a time when Teuton and Slav will stand face to face. There must be a contest for mastery. For every German in Europe there are already two Slavs, and every year that passes makes the proportion more in favor of the Slav.”