During this time, Serbian statesmen became more and more nervous because of Britain's (then the world's leading empire) refusal to reestablish diplomatic relations, especially after the Ilinden Uprising and due to the deteriorating situation in Macedonia. The government of Ljubomir Stojanović was ready to fulfill British demands, but it was Nikola Pašić's government which finally did so. The conspirators were brought to trial, which forced some into early retirement. Other junior conspirators were never punished for their complicity in the assassination. Dimitrijević was later promoted to the rank of colonel and served as an officer in the intelligence sector of the Serbian Army. British-Serbian diplomatic relations were renewed by decree signed by King Edward VII three years after the May Overthrow.