own dream of the new map was to make "Balka"--the Balkan
Federation--take in ultimately all south of a line drawn from the Isle of
Serpents to Aquileia. There would--must--be difficulties in the carrying
out of such a scheme. Of course, it involved Austria giving up Dalmatia,
Istria, and Sclavonia, as well as a part of Croatia and the Hungarian
Banat. On the contrary, she might look for centuries of peace in the
south. But it would make for peace so strongly that each of the States
impinging on it would find it worth while to make a considerable
sacrifice to have it effected. To its own integers it would offer a
lasting settlement of interests which at present conflicted, and a share
in a new world-power. Each of these integers would be absolutely
self-governing and independent, being only united for purposes of mutual
good. I did not despair that even Turkey and Greece, recognizing that
benefit and safety would ensue without the destruction or even minimizing
of individuality, would, sooner or later, come into the Federation. The
matter is already so far advanced that within a month the various rulers
of the States involved are to have a secret and informal meeting.
Doubtless some larger plan and further action will be then evolved. It
will be an anxious time for all in this zone--and outside it--till this
matter is all settled. In any case, the manufacture of war material will
go on until it is settled, one way or another.

RUPERT'S JOURNAL--_Continued_.

_March_ 6, 1908.

I breathe more freely. The meeting has taken place here at Vissarion.
Nominal cause of meeting: a hunting-party in the Blue Mountains. Not any
formal affair. Not a Chancellor or Secretary of State or Diplomatist of
any sort present. All headquarters. It was, after all, a real
hunting-party. Good sportsmen, plenty of game, lots of beaters,
everything organized properly, and an effective tally of results. I
think we all enjoyed ourselves in the matter of sport; and as the
political result was absolute unanimity of purpose and intention, there
could be no possible cause of complaint.

So it is all decided. Everything is pacific. There is not a suggestion
even of war, revolt, or conflicting purpose of any kind. We all go on
exactly as we are doing for another year, pursuing our own individual
objects, just as at present. But we are all to see that in our own
househo