THE MISERY OF MONTENEGRO.†

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17426, 21 September 1918, Page 2

THE MISERY OF MONTENEGRO.†

Montenegro is a, land of mountains, the eagle's nest of Europe. Her history is ono long magnificent story of struggle against the Turk, tho triumph of a mountain race against tremendous odds." In this strain Mr Alex. Devine commences a littlo_ book on "Montenegro: In History, Politics, and the War," with the express object of awakening popular interest in the fortunes of this gallant little nation. "It is pathetic indeed," declares Mr Devine, "to see how the eyes of these gallant but war-worn and suffering people turn to England and America; how every time Montenegro is mentioned in the speeches of public men in those countries hopo revives in their hearts. And if. in any manner or degree, the publication of this book may increase the friendship of England and file United States of Amcrica for the little nation I shall be more than satisfied."

Among tho many problems crying for solution as tho .if term at h of the war, 'the problem of the permanent settlement of tho Balkans will occupy chicf attention. It is a problem complicated by questions of race and creed and nationality, many of which conflict directly tho one with tho other. The little kingdom of Montenegro, at present under Austrian domination? is in danger of losing that independence which from time immemorial has been the proud birthright of her people. Temporarily dispossessed of bis kingdom, in common with tho King of the Belgians and the King of Serbia, King Nicholas of Montenegro has with his Government sought asylum in Franco. Isolated and surrounded as Montenegro is on ajl sides, communication with, ■that country itself is difficult, if not impossible. Moreover, Montenegro, alone among the Allies, has no diplomatic representative in'G-rorrt Britain. "She is therefore," says Mr Dcvine, "not only suffering, biit speechless, and it behoves those of us m whom her glorious past arouses interest and enthusiasm to constitute ourselves as her voluntary representatives in English-speaking countries, and on becoming informed of her condition and claims as a nation, to see that she has the expression of our interest and sympathy, and above all, that she has 'fair play.'" The danger which threatens Montcnetrro, ns nointod out by Mr Dc-vine, is that her independence may be swamped by the Jugoslav, movement. which is. he suggests, being cleverly engineered by a section of Serbian politicians in their own interests and for their country's advantage. A Southern-Slav Confederation, which, dismembering Austria, would place Serbia in the front rank of the Balkan Powers, is a long-cherished dream, in +be accomplishment of which a sys-

* " The Oxford Book of Australasian Verse." Olrosen by Writer Jlunleeh. London: Humphrey Stilfonl. Oxford T T nh-orsity Press. CGs not.) t " Montenegro : In TTistory, Politics, .tnd Wnr." By Alex Devine. Lon'lon: T. Fitiher TJnwin. (3s 6d).

tematic propaganda is on. foot to discredit Montenegro. According to Mr Dovine, Montenegro has been misrepresented as having succumbed to Austrian intrigue and as having acted as agent of the Central Powers, whereas the actual facts show that Montenegro yielded only to a superior enemy foreo when nothing but annihilation awaited her. Moreover, the dilemma in which King Nicholas and his army found themselves was the direct outcome of Allied blunderings and misunderstandings in the Balkans. The book thus resolves itself into a plea for Montenegro, and it is published in the hope that people all over the British Empire may be at the trouble to inform themselves as to the truth of the existing situation.

Mr Dovine has compressed into convenient compass a great deal of interesting information, and when allowance is made for tho sympathy he evinccs towards tho country whose cause he so eloquently champions, the book seems reliable enough, being buttressed, wherever possible, with tho text of official documents bearing on the points at issue.

Following an account of the early history of Montenegro comes a chapter covering the Reign of Prince Nicholas up to tho granting- of the Constitution in 1905. The condition of Montenegro as a Kingdom occupies a third chapter; a fourth is devoted to a record' of the First and Second Balkan Waif. This leads up to a history of tho World War in so far as it afTeoted the future of Montenegro, tho position of the people under Austrian domination, and the present position of the nation with suggestions for future settlement. This is a hook which no student of the Balkan question and of European Reconstruction can afford to neglect. It contains much valuable rmtter not elsewhere obtainable. The fart that: all profits of the publication will be devoWl to Montenegrin Red Cross and Relief Funds is an added incentive to purchase a copy.