Tag: Reflections on Balkan Affairs

Seeking Stability

The events surrounding the Balkan situation have prompted considerations of international law and the need for confirmation by the signatory powers of the Treaty of Berlin in 1878. The treaty stated that no nation could free itself from treaty commitments or modify stipulations without the consent of the contracting powers through amicable arrangements. To give legal sanction to various acts, confirmation by the signatory powers appears necessary, potentially through a logical and hoped-for conference.

The recent chapter of the Balkan situation, initiated in October 1908, concluded in March. Servia, influenced by Russia’s conciliatory stance, accepted Austria-Hungary’s annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Servia agreed to demobilize its military forces and officially declared that Austria-Hungary’s actions provided no grounds for complaint. Turkey had already accepted compensation and concessions from Austria, foregoing the nomina