er date June 18, 1881, whereby the Courts of Russia, Germany and
Austria-Hungary agree that "Austria shall annex these two provinces
at the moment she judges opportune." This agreement was renewed in
1884. That the Powers considered the provinces as definitely annexed
is shown by the fact that when in 1881 Austria introduced military
conscription and recruited regiments for her own army no objection
was made, nor did any Power intervene when Austria put down by force
the resultant insurrection. On the contrary they most sternly
ordered the Prince of Montenegro to prevent his men from rushing to
the aid of the insurgents. Nor did Europe make any protest when the
capitulations were abolished by Austria, though the land was
nominally still a Turkish province. And Austrian coinage soon
entirely replaced Turkish money.

Up till this time it is important to note that Russia, was taking no
steps with regard to claiming Bosnia for her Pan-Slav schemes. Her
immediate aim was Constantinople, and she had planned to obtain it
by means of a large Bulgaria, which should be a vassal state. But
Bulgaria soon struck for complete independence and showed that she
would never be Russia's puppet, and elected Prince Ferdinand in
defiance of the Tsar with the express intention of breaking away
from Russian influence.

Russia therefore finally turned towards the Great Serbian Idea,
which otherwise she would probably not have taken up till the
annexation of Constantinople had been accomplished.

Till now, Russia had recognized the Montenegrin dynasty as the
leader of Great Serbism. She now turned towards Serbia. It was in a
far better geographical position and could supply a much larger
army, and Montenegro could still be used as a tool.

The result of this was that when in 1897 the Emperor Franz Josef and
Goluchowski went to Petersburg and asked for a confirmation of the
agreement of 1881, "that the territorial advantages recognized to
Austria-Hungary by the Berlin Treaty are and remain acquired by
Austria-Hungary and therefore the possession of Bosnia-Herzegovina
and the Sanjak of Novibazar cannot form matters of discussion; the
Austro-Hungarian Government reserving to itself the right of
substituting for the actual title of occupation and garrisoning,
that of annexation."

Russia had now other plans and replied "the annexation of the two
provinces would give rise to more extensive questions which would
necessitate a special examinatio