The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-04-15

ministers and regents attended the ban
quet, and while enjoying themselves at the
palace detachment of soldiers and bodies
Of police took possession of the ministers
houses, and occupied the government
buildings, and at midnight, while the fes-
tivities were still in progress, King Alex
ander proclaimed that he had attained his
majority and had assumed. with the
skupshtina, the government of the country.
As matter OF fact the king had not at
tanned his majority, for according to
Servian law he does not become of age
until he is IS years old. and as he was born
on August "a. 1876. he will not be IS for
considerably over year. When the de-
posed regents and ministers heard the
proclamation they were dumfounded.
The king and his advisers acted with great
promptitude, and the soldiers, who were
in waiting, at once placed the regents and
ministers under arrest, and they were sent
to rooms which had been prepared for
them in the palace, where they were kept
under guard. The Servian army re-
manned loyal to the king. but had it not
been for that the coup d'etat would not
have been possible. After issuing the
proclamation, and long before daybreak,
the king proceeded to the barracks, where
the troops were under arms. and he was
received with joyous acclamations and
many expressions of loyalty.
The proclamation, which hA issued
everywhere in the country today, bears
the kings signature. In it Alexander de-
clares that the constitution has been lately
in sore jeopardy, the rights Of citizens i'm
periled and the constitutional position of
parliament so abased at the king must
end the unhappy condition of affairs. He.
therefore, declares that he has come of age
and has assumed kingly power. Hence
forth. the proclamation adds the Servian
constitution acquires its full significance.
The regents have been deposed. the cabi-
net dismissed and new ministry ap-
pointed. with Dokitch as the new prime
minister. The ministry which the king
has driven from power were Liberals.
This morning the king issued decree
dissoiving the skupshtina, and writs for
new elections have been sent to the various
constituents. The latter facts show that
preparations for the coup d'etat must have
been completed some time ago. New cleo
tions will be held ON April 80. At II
O'Clock this morning the king, accom-
panied by many military and state officials,
went to the cathedral, where the"Te Deum"
was sung in celebration Of his maiesty's
ascension to the throne. As the royal
party was proceeding to the cathedral q
salute of 10l guns was fired from the ram
parts. So tar the act of Alexander appears
to meet the approval Of the popuiace.
The shops were closed in honor of the
event, and the streets crowded with peo-
pie discussing the situation.
Upon the conclusion of the religious
services at the cathedral the king returned
to the palace. The people on the streets
gave him an ovation. Many followed him
to the palace and cheered until his majesty
appeared upon the balcony and thanked
the people for their demonstration of
loyalty. He promised to guard the con-
stitution and secure 10 the people the full
enjoyment Of their rights.
vienna, April 14-The course taken by
the young King Alexander will generally
be attributed to the influence Of his father
and mother. ex-King Milan and Queen
Natalie. The coup detat was simply a
revival of-the royal supremacy, which was
first weakened by the separation of Milan
and Natalie and seriously impaired by the
abdlcation OF Milan and the subsequent
troubles in which the country was plunged
largely as result of the weakness OF the
crown. The Ne,e Freie Presse has ex-
pressed confidence that the Servian coup
d'eta. will have no serious consequence.
Austria, ii says, has no cause to disap.
prove OF the young king, who vas prob
ably Influenced by his parents and not by
Russia A dispatch from Belgrade says
that after the third course in tbe banquet
last night the king arose and said to the
regents:
Gentlemen, 70: four years you have In nv
name ad m,nistered kingly power. / thank you
heartily for the trouble you have taken, but
now ieel able TO az n mister that power myself
and will exercise ii IRON this moment Ibsg
Of you therefore 20 Immediately hand me your
designations
Ristich replied that he could not and
would not comply with the kings request,
which was contrary TO the constitution.
Beli-Na-covich rushed up to the king and
protested violently against the kings
action. Col. Tchirch. the kings aide. in
terfered and a violent passage-at-arms
ensued between the regents and officials.
The king thereupon left the room and sent
his aide to demand the resignation of the
ministers. As they all remained obdurate,
he ordered them to leave the old palace and
go TO the new palace to pass the night.
In the morning they were conveyed to
their residences under guard. NJ. Dokitch,
the new mime AAiAasssz. 10 King Aiexan-