St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-11-23
PAWNED HIS CROWN.
King lillian Stirring UP Eu-
rope With His Losses at
Gambling.
Sometimes He Drops a Half
Million Francs at Bac-
carat or Poker.
He PaWnS His Crown Twice in
a Single Night in
Vienna.
Prospects That the Busted
EX-Monareh Will Involve
Europe in War.

NEW DIRK, Nov. 22.-The Paris rep
resentative of the Herald cables his pa
per as follows: Politics is not always
amusing, and just now, when statesmen
in every part of Europe have so many
and such grave cares to conceal, we owe
some gratitude to monarchists who do
something to divert their fellow crea-
lures. TO judge from the speech of
Count Kalnoky to the delegations, Ser
via may yet prove brand of discOrd
which will kindle great European war.
But King Milan is constant Joy to all
familiar with the secrets of contem-
porary politics. As you know, King
Milan addicted two years ago in favor
of his son. For some time past he has
been living in Paris and enjoying him
self. You might not recognize MIN in
the short, stout, styllshly-dressed man
with gray whiskers whom you saw driv-
ing past you on the boulevard in a
hired brougham or barouche. Alright,
if you met him at his club (he affects
the Circle de la Rue Royal losing. may
be, half million francs at baccarat or
poker, you would feel that the
DezIinies of Servia
were unsafe in his hands. Queen Nata-
lie must have hard times with her
spouse. His love of pleasure is unceas-
ing aud Unsuitable. When he is not
driving or gambling or Supping at Big
mons and JOseph's (hiS favOrite haunts),
he may be seen in the stage boxes of
the theaterS, ogling actresses and
basking in the smiles of third rate sing
ers. You could not say that King Milan
has done much to increase the prestige
of the crowned heads of Europe. This
royal scion of a race of hog raisers once
eibOWed emperors. He literally flung
away his money. Last year he hired
special train to take him
600 francs. The other day az
the wedding of the daughter of jew
ish banker he spent 5000 francs on a
bouquet of orchids. His prodigaiity was
at the root of all his troubles when he
reigned in Servia. He thought nothing
of running up to Vienna for a game of
cards, and one night he was so thor
oughly CLEANED Out'' in that city that
he had to put his crown in pawn. This
got to the ears or the emperor of Aus
tria, and few hours later Milan's debts
were paid. The royal delinquent went
to thank the emperor. and promised he
nOulu lShOl pay dSdlu. Dl mlOlilSUI
he had lost 100000 forms more, though,
and his crown had once more gone
To the PayvnbrOker's.
That day he forfeited the protection
of Austria. A year later, after having
involved himself in all kinds of financial
scandals, and domestic difficulty with
his consOrt, he was forced to abdicate.
But he was smart enough to make his
terms before he quit the throne. He did
not abdicate till he had been guaran-
teed 2.00O,O00 francs to wipe out his
debts. The Servians were so glad
to get rid of him that they Jumped
at the bargain. He did not leave. how
ever, till six months later, and when he
had spent every cent of his two mill
ions he drifted back to Belgrade,
where he intrigued against his own
son. The Servians soon grasped
the situation. They asked him how
much he would take to get out. His
majesty replied that he would go for a
million. They gave him his million. on
condition that he would leave politics
alone, and he departed. But ere another
year had passed, Milan came to the con-
clusiOn that he could not live without
seeing his dear son. ''All right" re-
piled the Servian regent, 1--WE will send
your son to Paris for month";" This
did net suit King Milan. He asked per-
mission to realize on
His Servian Property.
which had been seized by the regents
as a guarantee of his good behavior.
The regents hesitated, but at last con-
sented. Milan promptly asserted his
rights in the Danube fisheries and sold
the mansion he owned in Belgrade. with
the estates and parks and jewels of the
crown. These brought in two more
millions, which he has since sQuandered.
A fortnight ago he appealed to the
regents for further sum of $4,000, 900.
In exchange Tor his promise not to cross
the Servlan frontier and his abandon
ment of all his private and public rights
in the country, even to his citizen
ship, they expressed their willing
ness to pay him the money. But
before he got chance to
collect it. his creditors bounced down
on the king. They saw that he had
come 10 the end of his resources. and
that his eX-subjects would do no more
for him. They attached the money, and
if Milan gets half million of his four
millions he will be lucky. His majesty,
of course, is deeply incensed at this
treatment, but the Servians are happy
and the public is amused. The political
lCoGiOo vi lilC d1dil UC StilOuS. lOIs
although he has abdicated, King Milan
is the heir apparent to the Servian
throne, and in the event of his child's
death might yet succeed him.
A Revolution i'm Belgrade
would be disastrous to Servia. 1t would
be easy to overthrow the little king,
who has no strong following, and this
would make breach for Russia, who, as
every one knows, has always wished to
establish her influence in Servia. Aus
tria, on the other hand, could not look
on at such a change unmoved. She
holds Milan in reserve as a last caro-.
If the RusSophiIes were to overthrow
the reigning child-king, Alexander, and
Russia hurl her troops into Servia. on
pretense of restoring order Aus
tria would be forced to make
coanterstroke, war would be
be declared, and from Servia it would
spread all over Europe. France, too,
would be dragged into the quarrel. II
would be impossible to prevent her
from helping Russia. The emperor of
Austria, no doubt, had these grave
contingencies in his mind when he let
fall those pessimlStic words the other
day. In Paris, at all events. this is be.
lieyed TO be the real explanation of the
imperial speech. 1t seems sad that the
lives of countless thousands of men
should be endangered because King
Milan is hard up and needs more
money.