Great Britain in Relation to the Serb Activities in Macedonia, 1903-1907 Cover Image

Велика Британија према српским акцијама у Македонији 1903-1907.
Great Britain in Relation to the Serb Activities in Macedonia, 1903-1907

Author(s): Aleksandar P. Rastović
Subject(s): History
Published by: Istorijski institut, Beograd
Keywords: Great Britain; Serbia; Macedonia; Bulgaria; guerilla units

Summary/Abstract: British politics turns to the Balkans during 1903, when there was considerable unrest in Macedonia, where the Christian population expressed its dissatisfaction with the increasing terror against them, as well as because of the activities of both irregular Turkish troops, and the official authorities. As protectors of Turkey, British politicians did everything they could in order to preserve the existing state of affairs, that is to say, the Turkish rule in the Balkans, for even with all of its shortcomings, the Turkish Empire was the safest obstacle to Russian aspirations in the region. Especially between 1905 and 1907, Foreign Office carefully observed activities of various revolutionary committees and units, trained and supplied with weapons and money by all Balkan countries interested in the area, and then sent into Macedonia. The British government especially pointed to the dangers from the Serbian paramilitary units, and warned Serbian government to cease all activities of their units crossing into this region. On its side, Serbian government in the beginning organized and helped the activities of the Serbian Defense, but, following serious warnings from London, asked for the cessation of its activities. At the same time, the British remained unmoved by argumented reports from Belgrade, about the continuation of unhindered and unpunished activities of Bulgarian swuadrons. The great influence of the Balkan Committee on the British government largely caused that official London ignored obvious proofs about terrorist activities of Bulgarian units on the territory of Macedonia until the end of 1907.

  • Issue Year: 2008
  • Issue No: 57
  • Page Range: 355-374
  • Page Count: 20
  • Language: Serbian
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