Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-11-23
EX-KING MILAN
And the Fact That He Is Hard Up
May Cause War in Europe.
ANENT THE PROFLIGATE WRETCH
Who Seems to Hold the Peace Of Europe in his
Hauds-HOw Hs Spends His Time and
Money in Paris-PlaYing Poker and Bac-
carat and 0ggling Actresses.

New YORK, November 22.-The Paris
representative of the Herald cables his
paper as follows:
Politics are 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 monarchs like King Milan who dc
something to divert their fellow crea-
lures.
To Judge from the speech of Count
KalnokY to the delegations, Servia may
yet prove brand of discord which
will kindle great European war. But
King Milan is a constant joy to all
familiar with the secrets of contempo-
rary politics. As you know, King Milan
abdicated two years ago in favor of his
son.
For some time past he has been
living in Paris and enjoying himself
You might not recognize him in the
short, stout, styllshly dressed man with
gray whiskers whom you saw driving
past you on the boulevard in hired
brougham or barouche. A night, you
met him at his club, he affects the circle
de La Rue Royale, losing maybe half
a million francs at baccarat or poker,
you would feel that the destinies of
Servia were unsafe in his hands.
Queen Natalie must have had hard
times with her spouse. His love of
pleasure is unceasing and Unsuitable
When he is not driving or gambling or
Supping at Bignon's and Josephs', his
favorite hauntS, he may be seen in the
- or
and basking in the smiles OF the third
rate singers.
You could not say that King Milan
has done much to increase the pres
tige of the crowned heads of Europe.
This royal scion of race of hog raisers
once elbowed Emperors. He literally
flung away his money. Last year he
hired a special train to take him to
Carlsbad, That cost him 40, 600 francs.
The other day at the wedding Of the
daughter of Jewish banker he spent
5000 francs on bouquet of orchids.
His prodigality 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 thoroughly "cleaned"
out in that city that he had to put his
crown in pawn. This got to the ears
of the Emperor of Austria. A few
hours later Milan's debts were all paid
off. The royal delinquent went to thank
the Emperor and promised he would
never play again. BY midnight he had
lost 2O0,O0O florins more though, and
his crown had once more gone to the
pawn brokers.
That day he forfeited the protection
of Austria. A year later, after having
involved himself in all kinds Of hnan-
cial scandals and domestic difficulties
with his consort, he was forced to abdi-
cate. But he was smart enough to
make his terms before he quit the
throne. He did not abdicate till he had
been guaranteed 100000 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, however, till some six months
later, and when he had spent every cent
of his two millions he drifted back to
Belgrade, where he intrigued against
his own son.
The ServianS soon grasped the situa-
tion. They asked him how much he
would take to get out. His Majesty re-
piled he would go for million. They
gave him his million on condition that
he would leave politics alone, and he
departed, A fortnight ago he appealed
to the Regents for further sum OF
four millions. In exchange for his
uromise not to cross the Servian from
tier and his abandonment of all his pri-
vate and public rights in the country,
even to his citizenship.
They expressed their Willingness to
nav him the money, but before he got a
chance to collect it, his creditors
bounced down on the King. They saw
that he had come TO the end of his re-
sources, and that his subjects would do
no more for him, so they attached the
money, and if Milan gets half million
of his four million he Is lucky.
His Majesty, of course, is deeply in
censed at this treatment, but the Ser
vianS are happy and the public is
amused. The political results of the
affair may be serious, for 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 in Belgrade
would be disastrous to Servia. 1t
would be easy to overthrow the little
King, who has no strong following, and
this would make a breach for Russia,
who, as everyone knows, has always
wished to re-eStablish her influence in
Servia.
Austria, on the other hand, could not
look on at such change unmoved. She
holds Milan in reserve as last card. II
the Russophiles were to overthrow the
reigning child-King, Alexander and
Russia would hurl her troops into Ser
via ON pretence Of restoring order, Aus
tris would be forced to make counter
stroke, war would be declared and from
Servia it would spread all over Europe.
France, too, would be dragged into
the Quarrel. 1t 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 pessimistic words the
other day. In Paris, at all events, this
is believed to be the real explanation OF
the Imperial speech.
1t seems sad that the lives OF count
less thousands should be endangered be-
cause King Milan is hard up and needs
more money.