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American Influence in the Balkans

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 9, 1913

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 90, No. 2.

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American Influence in the Balkans

By Editor

THE influence of the United States as a factor for freedom has been felt in all the nations. Dr. Dameff, president of the Bulgarian chamber of deputies, in speaking of the possible mediation of the United States between the Balkans and Turkey, bears this interesting testimony:—
I believe that American intervention will be most opportune and will be received as justifiable, on account of American interests in the Balkans and Turkey, which are not lacking and have sufficient importance to entitle Washington to offer its good offices for an impartial settlement of the conflict.
The United States has colleges, commercial firms, maritime lines, and missionariesthroughout the Balkan States and Turkey. Besides, she has with Bulgaria ties of culture, many among us having been educated in the United States, and having brought from that land of liberty and independence that worship for freedom which has hastened the explosion and our natural vindication.
Our people have the same spirit of enterprise as the Americans, and with a few years of resurrection we shall change the face of our country. Indeed, we aspire to become the Americans of Europe.—London despatch to the Washington Post of Dec. 12, 1912.
It is to be hoped that if the Balkan allies copy anything American, it may be the principles of religious liberty enunciated by the founders of our nation. Whatever greatness or whatever influence America has achieved has come through the freedom of her people in matters religious. Without that freedom, no people have any freedom that is worthy of the name.