BRITANSKI ISTORIČARI I JADRANSKO PITANJE U TOKU 1914 - 1915. GODINE
THE BRITISH SCIENTIFIC WORKERS AND THE ADRIATIC QUESTION IN 1914 - 1915

Summary/Abstract: After the outbreak of the First World War, Italy proclaimed its neutrality, on august 3th 1914. The Italian government however, from the very beginning tried to take advantage of the new situation, emphasizing the question of «unredeemed territories«. The Italian government also considered the possibility of attacking the Habsburg Monarchy, but could not easily take that dangerous course. The Entente powers, considering that Italian intervention was of utmost importance, opened the negotiations with the Italian government, in august 1914, trying to induce it to enter the War. The negotiations were led with unequal success. Considering the political and military impact of Italy, the Entente powers considered that concessions should be made to that country, on the Eastern Adriatic coast. The advantage of bringing Italy to the side of the Entente was fully acknowledged even by the group of scientific and public workers gathered around Henry Wickham Steed Robert William Seton-Waitsom, and Arthur Evans, although! this group previously developed considerable activity in favor of unification of Yugoslav peoples. Although the members of the group were particularly active during the negotiations between the Entente powers and Italy they could do little for the cause of Serbia and Yugoslavia. The aid-memoirs, letters and reports that some of them sent to the Foreign Office during the winter and spring 1914 - 1915, were not totally useless, as some authoritative British circles were better acquainted with the subject than before the outbreak of the War. Thanks to their help, Edward Grey, and Other British politicians, did for the Serbian and Yugoslav cause, what was »possible« (according to their views), but also what was in the interest of Great Britain. The activity of the group, contributed to acquaint not only politicians, 'but the British people as well, with the Adriatic question.

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