The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-11-26
.PU HIS CROWN 4
A Night In Vienna That Lost King
Milan the Favor of
Austria
Incredible Sums Lost at the Gam
bling Table In the Differ
ent Capitals.
How He Worked Iiis Patient Subjects
Time and Again Creditors Attach
His Last Stake.

PARIS NOV. %. 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 te monarchs like King Milan who
do something to divert their fellow-crea-
lures. To Judge from tho spesch OF Count
Kalnoky to the delegations Servia mny yet
prove brand Of discord which will kindle
great European war. Bnt King Milan is
q constant JOY to all familiar with the se-
crets OF contemporary 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 him
self. Yon might not recognize him in the
short, stout, stylishly dressed man with
gray whiskers whom you saw driving past
you on the boulevard in hired brougham
or barouche. At night, if you met him at
his club Che affects the Cercle dc la Rue
Royale), losing, maybe, half million
francs at baccarst or poker. you would feel
that the destinies of servia were unsafe in
his hands. E
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 Joseph's (his fayorite haunts) he may
be seen in the stage boxes of the fast thea
ters oglinR actresses and basking in the
smiles of third-rate singers.
You could not say that King Milan has
done much to increase the prestige of the
Drowned heads of Europe. This royal scion
of a race of hog raisers once elbowsd en-
perors. He literally flung nway his money.
Last year he hired special train to take
him to Carlsbad. That cost him 10000 francs.
The other day at the wedding of the daugk-
ter of Jewish banker he spent 5000 francs
on bouquet of orchids. His prodigalhy
WIS at the root of all his troubles when he
running up to Vienna for game Of cards,
and one night he was 30 thoroughly
cleaned out" in that city that he had to
put his crown in pawn. This got
to the ears of the emperor of Aus
tria. few hours later Milan's debts
went TO- thank the emperor and prom
ised no would never play AGAIN. BY mid
night he had lost 100000 sforins more,
though. and his crown had once more gone
to the pawnbrokers. That day he forfeited
the protection of Austria. A year later
of financial scandals and domestic difficult
ties 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 until he had been guaranteed
20O0,O 900 francs to wipe out his debts. The
Servians were 80 glad 10 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 Seryians soon grasped the situation.
They asked him how much he would take
to get out. His majesty replied TINT he
would 90 for 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
conclusion that he could not live without
seeing his dear son.
.Ail right" replied the Serviun regent.
''wc will send your son to Paris for
This did not suit King Milan's book He !
naked permission to realize on his Servian |
property, which had been seized by the re-
gents as guarantee OF his good behavior.
The regents hesitated. but at last CON
sented. Milan PROMPTLY mortgaged his
rights in the Danube fisheries, and sold the
he owned in Belgrade, with the
astates and parks and jewels. of the crown.
These brought in two more millions, which
ne has since squandered. A fortnight ago
he appealed to the regents for further
sum OF tour millions. In exchange for his
promise not to cross the Ssrvian frontier
md Lis abandonment of all his pri-
vate and public rights in the coun-
try, even to his citizenship, they
their willingness 10 pay him the
money. But before he got a chance to COL
ect it his creditors pouncad down on the
nny mt knh hnI fr, thnl
md of hisiresources and that his ex-sub-
ects would do no IN oto for him. They at
ached the money. And If Milan gets half
! million of his four millions he will be
ucky. Ills majesty, OF course, is deeply
ncensed at this treatment But the Ser
The political results of the affair may b.
erious, for, although he has abdi Gated.
King MILAN is the heir apparent to the Scr
ian throne, and in the event OF his child's
leath might yet succeed him. A revolution
Il Belgrade would be disastrous to Servia.
ring, who has no strong following. And
his would make breach for Russia. who,
70 everyone knows has always wished to re-
stnbliSh her influence in Servia. Austria,
N the other hand, could not look on at such
change unmoved. She holds Milan in re-
erve as last card. If the Russophiles
we're to overthrow the reigning child king.
Alexander, and Russia hurl her troops into
;ervia on pretense OF restoring order, Aus
ria would be forced to make a counter
troke, war would be declared and from
iervia it would spread all over Europe.
France, too, would be dragged into the
1t would be impossible to prevent
Ter from helping Russia. The emperor Of
AUSTRIA no doubt had these grave contin-
encies in his mind when he let fall those
essinlistic words the other day. In Paris.
& all events. this is believed to be the real
xplanation Of the imperial speech.
II seems sad that the lives OF countless
thousands Of men should DO endangered be-
ause King Milan ia hard up and needs mere
noney.
... HUNGRY PEASANTS