THE "NÜFUS QUESTION": PROBLEM OF OFFICIAL RECOGNITION OF SERB NATIONALITY IN TURKEY 1894-1910.

This paper deals with so called "näfus question", i.e. with diplomatic efforts of Serbia's Governments to secure recognition of the Serb nationality in Ottoman Empire within the millet system. Unlike Greeks or Bulgarians, Serbs in Turkey did not have separate millet in the late 19. century, for they did not posses an orthodox church of their own. In order to equalize them with formerly mentioned nationalities, various Governments of Serbia have tried from 1894 to 1910 to obtain formal recognition of their fellow nationals in Turkey. Diplomatic negotiations on that matter are described in detail. However, all the efforts eventually proved to be futile. Serbs in Turkey have remained unrecognized as millet until the liberation in Balkan wars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]