The Portland daily press., 1876-07-08
IN. Y. Tribune.]
The Belligerents.
The Area and Topography of Servin-
Leading Incidents of Her Hisfory-Her
Military Resources-Sfrensth of the
MOntenegrin and Turkish Armies.

In the north of Turkey, which it enters as
wedge is the important state of Ssrva. In
extent it is about one-third the area Of Penn
sylvania, and in population it numbers less
people. than New York and Brooklyn. Ga the
north of Servia is Hungary; on the west and
south is Bosnia; on the east Bulgaria and
Wallachia. The people are all Serbs of Scla-
vic origin, excepting about 140,000 Walachs,
25,000 gypsies, and 5000 Turks and other
peoples. The surface is broken by branches of
the Carpathian Mountains in the northeast,
of the Balkan in the southeast and south, and
of the Dinaric Alps in the west, In the center
and along the banks of the principal rivers are
extensive plains. The Danube and its tribu-
tary, the Save, flow on the northern frontier
and receive the drainage of the country by
several steams, the most important of which
are the Drina, Morava, and Timok. The prin-
cipal towns are Belgrade. the capital, Kragu-
yevat1, Semendria, Uzhitza and Shabatz.
The original inhabitants of Servia were
chilly Thraoians Conquered by the Romans,
during the early period of the Empire, Servia
formed part of Illyricum, under the name of
Moesia Superior. During the great migration
Of nations it was overrun by the Huns, Ostro-
goths and other barbarians, and subsequently
was under Byzantine rule from the middle of
the sixth till early in the seventh century,
when it was devastated by the Avars. The
latter were driven out by the Serbs, Slavic
people who had been living north of the Car
pathians, whose aid the Roman Emperor
Heraclus had invoked. He allotted to them
the depopulated regions, and introduced Chris
tianity. Servia remained for centuries vas-
sal state of the Emperors of the East, but
make strenuous efforts to attain independence
At length, 1O43, it became an independent
principality, and in the fourteenth century ex-
tended its sway over the greater part of Greece
and Turkey. Then ensued the wars with the
| Turks, ending in the disastrous battle on
the plans of Cosovo (144S) which proved fatal
| to Servian independence. After being subject
| to the Turks for nearly three centuries, part of
| Servia was transferred to Austria at the close
| of her war with Turkey in 171S. The peace of
| Belgrade Q739), however, restored the Turkish
| domination, and the Serbs were again sub
| jected to great oppre ssicn. In 1906, under the
lead of Czerny George, they rose against the
Turks, ard acquired independence. In 1918
the Turks again became masters of the coun-
| try, and remained so until 1915, when Milos
| Obrenovitch raised the standard of revolt and
| after desultory war of IL years duration,
compelled the Turkish Government to grant
| virtual independence to Servia. MiloS-the
liberator of Servia-remained in power until
1889, when the army forced him to abdicate in
favor of his eldest SOD, Milan ]. The latter
| died July s, 1880 whereupon his brother Mi
| chael was proclaimed prince. Another revolt
drove Michael from the country in 1912, and
his family remained banished till 1858, when
| Milos O5renovitch was recalled TO the throne.
He died September 26, 1860, and was succeeded
| by his son Michael former ruler of Servia who
| was assassnated June 10, 1865 Soon after
this occurance the Servian National Assembly
elected Prince Milan, nephew Of the preceding
ruler. Tie Prince was born at Jassey August
1854. He was adopted by Prince Michael, who
had no children, and was sent by him in 1864
to Paris to be educated. NJ. Francois Huet
| was appointed his tutor. The young Prince re-
turned to Seryia at the death of his uncle and
was proclaimed Prince. A council of regency
governed the country during his minority. In
| August, 1872, the Prince attained his majority
| aud in October, 1875, he married Princess Nat
| allie, daughter of Col. Keschko, Russian Off
Ger. Last year Servia was greatly agitated by
the revolt which began in July in Herzegovina
The people were strongly in sympathy with
| the insurgents and were willing to aid them.
! The Prince favored a neutral policy. The
! Liberals having carried the elections in the
| Fall, ministry was formed from their party
In October, and is still in power. After the
elections the distrust between Turkey and
Servia became greater. The Servians began tc
prepare for war, and the Turks sent an army
| to their frontier The irritation gradually sub
4 sided on both sides, owing to the mediation o.
the European Powers. Hostility, however
was revived in Servia by the failure of the Ber
lin Conference to effect peace, and tue manly
1 resistance which the insurgents made to the
Turks. Recently the Grand Vizer demanded
4 explanations from Servia. Prince Milan re
piled in firm but conciliatory tone, showing