THE FIRST STAGE OF THE BALKAN CRISIS IN 1908-1909 ON PAGES OF THE PERIODICAL «RUSSKAYA MYSL»

Abstract

The attitude of the leading Moscow liberal periodical «Russkaya mysl» that was closely connected with the party of cadets towards the events on the Balkan Peninsula in winter - autumn in 1908 is considered in the article. The author shows contradictory attitude of the periodical towards Austrian - Russian agreement in 1897. Originally the edition admitted its positivity, as the treaty of 1897 permitted to stabilize the situation on the Balkan Peninsula, but then it became a cover for aggressive policy of Germany and Austria-Hungary on the Balkans that resulted in 1908.The complete suddenness of the beginning of Austria-Hungarian active policy on the Balkan Peninsula for European society including the editorial office of the periodical is marked in the article. The «Russkaya Mysl» didn't doubt the German supporting of aggressive actions of the Habsburg Empire. The author emphasizes the recognition of the periodical of an opportunity to create a broad anti-Austrian coalition on the Balkans in order to struggle against aggressive policy of Vienna. It is considered in the conclusion of the article that the holding of an international conference on the conflict resolution on the Balkans and reconsideration of decisions of the Berlin congress were necessary. On the whole «Russkaya mysl» supported the policy of the Foreign Secretary A. P. Izvolskiy calling him for sequential protection of the national interests of Russia and Southern Slavs at the same time.