ilitary conversations" were begun between France and England. They
appear to have been far reaching. If France and England were to
concoct military plans together it was clear England must recognize
Russia's Balkan agent--Serbia. The situation was the more
remarkable, for Edward VII had always been on the best terms with
Franz Josef. And it was precisely because Alexander Obrenovitch
wished to make alliance with Austria that he was slaughtered. Poor
King Edward may have thought he was peace-making, but he little knew
the Balkans.

In June 1906, England formally resumed relations with Serbia, an
event of far higher import than any one but Russia realized at the
time.

It is a date that ends a chapter of Balkan history. Till then Serbia
was a petty Balkan state whose history had been punctuated by
political murder, who had been aided from time to time by Russia,
but quite as often by Austria, and who had usually been recognized
as part of the Austrian "sphere." She now formed part of the
combine against the Central Powers, and had the support of France,
Russia and England.

Montenegro, on the other hand, "the Tsar's only friend," besung by
Tennyson, bepraised by Gladstone (mainly, it is true, because
neither of these well-meaning gentlemen had ever been there), now
fell from her high position. Montenegro had had the praise of
England's great men, and the political and financial support of
Russia. But from the day when England and France began "military
Conversations" the tables were turned. Prince Nikola might strive
for popularity with "Constitutions," but, unless a miracle
happened, the fate of the Petrovitches was sealed. They would never
ascend the throne of Great Serbia.

And the fate of Europe was sealed too.

CHAPTER TWELVE

BOSNIA AND THE HERZEGOVINA

The Lamp of the Past illumines the Present.

The summer of 1906 saw me no longer restricted to two months'
travel, but free to go where I pleased for as long as I liked. I
planned a great scheme for the study and comparison of the
traditions and customs of all the Balkan races, and in August
started for Bosnia.

In ancient days all Bosnia and the Herzegovina formed part of
Illyria, and was inhabited by the ancestors of the modern Albanian.
Thousands of prehistoric graves, similar to those found also in
Serbia and Albania, are scattered over the land. A huge cemetery
exists at Glasinatz above Serajevo. The multitude of objects found
in these graves