Iseljeničko pitanje kao predmet od javnog interesa u Kraljevini Jugoslaviji
The Question of Emigrants as the Object of Public Interest in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia

Summary/Abstract: Despite the complexity of the situation in which the new, Yugoslav state had found itself, the question of emigrants found certain space in the sphere of public interest. Once accepted as part of the State’s charge and activity, migrations were regarded in their complexity, as the problem of emigration, return and ? nally, of the establishment of the relations of the State with those who had already emigrated. Since it was the problem which faced the state authorities, but also public persons as a new challenge, the newly commenced debates started with the primary de? nition of the matter in order to pass over to in-depth analysis which dealt with the basic questions and evaluation of the phenomenon. Nevertheless, the debate, thinking and analysis were con? ned to a smaller number of persons who were directly or indirectly involved in the question of emigration, as well as the persons, ministers, MPs and bureaucrats whose work had to do with the problem. Quite early emigration was accepted as social phenomenon and was treated as such in the functioning of the state administration, i.e. through the activities of the Ministry of Social Policy. The process of emigration of the socalled „national element“ (Serbs, Croats, Slovenes) was viewed distinctly un favorably and labeled as „evil“, „trouble“ or „loss“. Accepted as a negative but inevitable phenomenon, emigration was also put into a positive context during the debate, perceived through the possible bene? ts from the returned emigrants. The wishes and the perceived bene? ts were often not coupled with concrete actions of the state apparatus, but one cannot deny that the activities of the State, however insuf? cient often perceived, did exist. However, it can be said that although instances when the emigrants’ question was debated were often instigated by emigrants themselves and even though the emigration workers perceived them as insuf? cient and incomplete, they occurred throughout the inter-war period, and even when real individual activism was involved, this matter got a place in the of? cial state system and public life.

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