The morning news., 1888-11-29
DISREPUTABLB MILAN.
His Debauchery Has Completely Un
balanced HIS Mind.

balanced his RlnQ.
From Vienna Letter in NeW York Times.
The greatest anxiety rigns here with re-
gard to Servia, in tie fate of which vast
Austrian interests, both of a financial and
political nature are involved. A decided
impression prevails that King Milan has
reached the end of his tether and that he is
on the eve of his overthrow-if nothing
worse So firmly convinced are the
moneyed classes thereof that it was only
with the greatest difficulty that he was able
on the occasion of his recent stay here to
obtain from the Laender bank small loan
for his personal use. This was all the more
significant as the bank in question has for
the last eight or nine years not only pos
sessed complete control of the revenues of
Servia, but also practical monopoly Of all
the great industrial enterprises of the coun-
trv, and has hitherto always shown itself
most accommodating in the matter of per-
sonal loans 10 the king.
The fact is that while in Vienna Milan
acted and talked in such an extraordinary
manner as to give rise to the conviction
that his mind has become completely IN
balanced from the effects of heavy drinking
and other forms of debauchery. Indeed he
BETRAYED such mental excitement aud was
guilty of such extravagances OF language
and behavior as to leave no doubt, il not
~ -
self possession necessary TO tacnle the
present state of affairs i'll Servia. If any
hesitation had remained here on tue subject
it must have been dispeled by his attitude
since his return to Belgrade and by the re-
ports received thence to the effect that the
kings Dementia has become the all-absorb-
ing TOPIC of public discussion there
Kiis first act on reaching his capital was
to break up altogether and 20 dissolve the
entire Progressist or Philo-Austriau party,
and to drive its two principal leaders, the
ex-Premiers Garashanine and PirotShantz,
into exile His displeasure even extended
to those members of the present cabinet
who happen to belong to the party III ques-
ton and MN. Mijatovic, the minister of
foreign affairs: Rakiz, the minister of
finance; Georgievicz, the minister Of edu-
cation; and Bogitchevitch, the minister of
public works, have all been forced to resign
their portfolios. The sole apparent reason
for the animosity of the king toward his
party, which alone in Servia has supported
him in his unpopular pro Austrian pohcy.
is that its leaders advocated the establish
Inent of some kind of a modus UtUendt
with the queen and the avoidance OF the
public scandal of divorce.
In order to fully appreciate the conduct
of Milan in this affair it is merely necessary
to point out that ever since 1878 he b as
sold himself body and soul to the Vienna
government, anu HdS bho uIhiOSU
subserviency and blindest devotion to It's
behests. The word ''sold" is used advisedly,
for the attitude of the king toward Austria
is based mainly on financial grounds.
Milan, as is well known, is an inveterate
gambler, and is always unlucky at cards
| except when he plays with the Austrian or
| German ENJOYS, both of whom receive
| from their respective governments a
| special allowance to be devoted 20
| the payment of their obviously lnten-
| tjonal losses to his majesty. Be
| sides these gambling propensities, which
| have cost him untold thousands, he has
| sauandered enormous sums on women OF
| ali kinds, and has moreover been obliged to
| nav large amounts as hush money, and for
| the purpose of extricating himself from un-
clean and dsreputable scrapes, one of
| which, especially, that occurred at Pesth
| couple of years ago, caused much scandal
| at the time. His mode of life, too, is ex-
| ceedingly extravagant, and the new konak
| or palace at Belgrade is a magnificent con
| struction, furnished throughout with the
| most inconceivable splendor and luxury,
single dinner service of Sevres porcelain
figuring alone for the small item of
| $3.50. 200.
IL will, therefore, be readily understood
| that. as he has no private fortune, and as
| his civil list does not exceed $3.50, 600 per
annum. he was constantly in the direst
straits for ready money, and on frequent
| occasions. especially before he placed him
| self in Austria's hands, he was forced to
pawn valuable heirlooms and pieces Of
| iewelry. some OF which have remained I'M
| redeemed to this day.