us,
we see, actually elaborated long before Serbia had obtained
independence and before the Karageorgevitches had even been heard
of. This explains much that has since happened.

Further the Envoy replies to the question: Whether or not Montenegro
can be considered independent?--thus:

"From the frontier drawn by the Venetians with the Turks it follows
that Montenegro belongs to the Turks. The nation does not deny that
it has been twice conquered by the Turks, who, each time, destroyed
Cetinje and the Monastery, where some Turks even settled, but were
driven out. In 1768 they were forced to pay tribute by the Vezir of
Bosnia. The Montenegrins on the plains, in fact, pay tribute. The
Katunska and Rijeka nahias alone have paid no tribute since 1768.
These facts show Montenegro belongs to the Porte.

"The Montenegrins on the contrary maintain that they have never
recognized Turkish rule, and never paid tribute save when forced by
overpowering numbers; that they do not recognize the assigning of
their nahias to the Pashas of Spuzh and Scutari; that they have
chosen a Gubernator whose title has not been disputed; that they
rule themselves without Turkish interference. In truth, however, the
apparent independence of the land depends as much on its mountainous
character as on the courage of the inhabitants. The difficulties of
the land make it more trouble than it is worth."

The country is described as completely lawless. Blood feuds rage
between rival families and in seven months a hundred men have been
killed in vengeance. Over this wild group of tribes Russia and
Austria now struggled for influence. In 1782 Ivan Radonitch went for
seven months to Vienna. Montenegro could not (and cannot) possibly
exist without foreign aid. And he sought it.

But the Emperor Joseph II decided that to organize Montenegro as an
Ally "would, in peace, be costly and in war of insufficient use." He
withdrew the Mission but, to retain Montenegro's goodwill, allotted
a small annual subsidy of which 500 ducats were to go to Radonitch,
and but 150 to Vladika Plamenatz.

Russia, however, would not let Montenegro slip from her grasp. In
May, 1788, a Russian Envoy arrived and began countermining Austria.
Austria retorted by sending another Envoy, who reports complete
anarchy and ceaseless inter-tribal fighting:

"Some were with us; some sought to destroy us; some fought the
Turks; some were in alliance with them. They have a Bishop, Governor