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 powerful economic relations which are tantamount to moral conquest. Instead of this, we wanted to close our borders towards the East by preventing the import of Serbian cattle in every way, as our activities had suffered considerably in the West owing to the im- position of German agricultural duties (1905). The unhappy demand that Serbia should order her guns in Skoda caused considerable dissatisfaction and estrangement. The extraordinary difficulties placed in the way of the cattle trade created bad feeling against us, just at the time that Serbia began to fear us less, because the Monarchy had been weakened owing to internal difficulties.

Embitterment and the belief that we were gradually becoming weaker led Serbia towards a Russian policy.

Serbia gained courage especially on the strength of the Anglo-Russian Alliance (1907–1908). The policy of Russia underwent a change at this time, in consequence of which Russia was inclined to accept the pro-Serbian policy of Serbia, in spite of the obvious dangers and the provocative character of such a procedure. The chief attention of the Czar Nicholas ever since his ascension to the throne was given to the Far East. The example of Bulgaria had proved that, notwithstanding the sacrifices that Russia had made, it was impossible to look to this state for satisfactory support. In spite of all her sacrifices, Russia was very nearly forced to surrender the whole of her influence in the Balkans, and she had to content herself finally with very small results. Russia was obliged to