, 1876-08-12
Historical Sketch Of Servia.

only about One-thlrd the area OF
Pennsylvania, and in population it
numbers less than New York City
and Brooklyn. On the north of Ser
via is Hungary, on the west is Bos-
mia, and on the east Wallachia and
Bulgaria. he inhabitants are all
Serbs, of Slavic origin, excepting
14O, 500 Wallacks, $4,000 Gypseys,
Is, 900 Turks, and other people.
The original inhabitants were Rhra-
slams. It was conquered by Ro-
mans, and during the earlier period
of the empire formed a part of lily
ricum. It was overrun by Huns,
Ostrogoths and other barbarian ma
tions, but subsequently was under
Byzantine rule from the sixth till
early in the seventh century, when
Avars devastated it. The Avars
were driven out by the Serbs, Sla-
vic people, whose aid the Roman
Emperor Heraclius had invoked.
The depopnIated regions were allot-
ted by the Emperor to the Serbs,
and Christianity introduced. Not
withstanding strenuous efforts made
for independence, Servia remained a
vassal State of the empire TOR some
centuries. Finally, in 1043, it be-
came an Independent principally
and extended its sway in the four
teenth century over greater part of
Greece and Turkey. In 144S, with
the disastrous battle on the plains of
Kosovo, Servia's independence was
lost.
For nearly three centuries Servia
was subject to Turkey. but a part
was transferred to Austria at the
close of the Turko Austrian war in
1718. In 1889, at the peace of Bel
grade, Turkey again assumed sway
over the Serbs and subjected them
to great oppression. Under Czeruy
George they rose against the Turks
and acquired their independence in
1905. Eight years later the Turks
were again masters, but in 1915 the
standard of revolt was again raised
and the Serbs, led by Milos Obren-
ovitch, sustained desultry war for
twelve years, when Turkey granted
them virtual independence. Prince
Milos, the liberator, ruled mp to
1889, when tho army forced him
from power and placed in power his
brother Michael. Another revolt
forced Prince Michael and his rela-
tions into exile, but in 1853 Prince
Milos was recalled to the throne.
Dying in 1860, he was succeeded by
his son Michael, who was assassina-
ted in 1868.
The Servian National Assembly,
soon after this occurrence, elected
Prince Milan ruler, when only four
teen years of age. During his mi
nority the country was ruled by
regency. In August. 1872, the
Prince attained his majority, and in
1875 married Princess Natalie,
daughter Of Col. Kisehko, Russian
officer. Hostilities between Herze-
govina, Bosnia and Turkey q year
ago created much sympathy in favor
of the insnrgr ni- ax ,inst Turkey. but tho
Prince favored neutral policy.
The Liberals carrying the elections
in the Fall, q ministry vas formed
from their party and which is still
in power. The distrust between
Turkey and Servia became greater
after the election, and the Serbs be-
gan to prepare for war. The Turks,
TO offset this, sent an army to the
frontier. Under mediations of the
Powers the irritation gradually sub
sided on both sides, but owing to
the failure of the Berlin Conference
to effect peace, hostilities were re-
vived in Servia. The Grand Visor
of Turkey demanded an explanation
which was replied to in a firm and
manly tone b. Prince Milan, who
showed that his people had been
provoked to it by Turkey. The i'm
patience of the Servians forced the
Prince TO declare war and make
common cause with Bosnia, Herze-
govina and Bulgaria against the