Just as innocuous--whatever the enemies of Yugoslavia may say--are the
Communists in the old kingdom of Serbia. Perhaps in the whole State of
Yugoslavia they number 50,000 in a population of about 12,500,000. But
they are so well organized that in the municipal elections of 1920 they
were victorious in most of the towns. In Belgrade they secured 3600
votes, as compared with 3200 for the Radicals, 2800 for the
Democrats--both of whom were not only badly organized but very
slack--and 605 for the Republicans. However, the Communists refused to
swear the requisite oath, and in consequence were not permitted to take
office, the Radicals and Democrats forming a union to carry on. It was
agreed to have a new election and the other parties, being now awakened,
determined that the Communists should not again top the poll. But in the
provincial towns they have not by any means shown themselves a
disintegrating influence. At Ni[vs], for example, they conducted the
municipal affairs quite satisfactorily, while at [vC]uprija they
perceived that it would be impossible to put into effect their entire
programme, and so, after fourteen days, they resigned.