The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-04-15
Bloodless Coup d'Etat in Seryia
Brings Young Alexander Into
His Inheritance.
He Formerly Ruled Through Re-
gents, put Now in His Own
Name.
Tho Coup Executed at Midnight During
= Bauquet-Regents and Their MIn-
listers Arc Arrested.

| BELaRApE. April IA bloodless coup
d'etat Was effected hce last night, and King
Alexander ], the youthful ruler Of Seryia
who heretofore has governed the country
through regents, to-day rules in his own
| name. grand banquet was given at the
palace last night to celebrate King Aexan-
ders success in passing the examination
prescribed for Servian students. The re-
gents and all ministers of the state were
present. az were also a larae number of
friends and supporters of the regents. For
mnny months past the situation in Servia
has been critical. Owing to the abuse of
power by tho regents and state officials
affairs had become 10 bad that the king
determined to take the reins in his own
hands. In accordance with this determine
tion plans were secretly laid by means OF
which the regents and ministry were to be
ousted. without an opportunity of opposing.
UnsuspectinRly the regents and ministers
attended the banquet, and while enjoying
themselves at the palace q detachment
OF soldiers and bodies OF police took pos
session Of the ministers houses and
occupied the government buildings. At
midnight. while the festivities were still in
he had attained his majority and had as
sumed. with the skupshtina, the govern
ment of the country. As matter Of fact
the king had not attained his majority. Ac.
cording to Setvian law, he does not become
of age until he is 19 years old. and as he
was born Aug. IA. 1876. he viii not be 18 for
considerably over year. When the de-
posed regents and ministers heard the
proclamation they were dumbfounded. The
king and his advisers acted with great
promptitude, and the soldiers. who we're 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, whore they nre under guard.
The Servian army is loyal to the king.
Had 1t not been the coup d'etat would not
have been successful. After issuing the
proclamation, and long before daybresk,
the king proceeded to the barracks. where
the troops wsre under arms. and was re-
ceived with Joyous acclamations and many
expressions Of loyalty. The proclamation,
which was issued everywhere in the coun-
Try. to-day bears the kings signature. In
ii Alexander declares the constitution has
lately been In sore jeopardy, the rights of
citizens imperlled, and the constitutional
IositiOn of parliament 30 abased that the
king must end the unhappy condition of
affairs. He therefore declares he has come
OF age, and has assumed kingly power.
Hencsforth, the proclamation adds. the
Servian constitution acquires its full sig
nioance. The regents have been deposed,
the cabinet dismissed, and q new ministry
appointed. Dokitch is the new prime
minister.
The ministry, which the king drove from
power, were liberals. This morning the
kinu iaanaI n 1acraa dfaanlvipu ha uLu,
shtina. Writs for new elections have been
sent various constituencies. The latter
fact shows that preparations for the coup
d'etat must have been completed some
time ago. The new elections will be held
April 30. At II this morning the king, ac-
compnnied by many military and state Off
oials, went to the cathedral where the Te
Deum was sung in celebration of his ma
jesty's ascension to the throne. As the
ioval party was proceeding to the cathedral
salute of 1O1 guns was fred from the
ramparts. So far the act Of Alexander ap-
pears to meet the approval of the populace.
shops were closed in honor of the event and
the streets thronged with people discussing
the situation. Upon the conclusion Of the
religious services at the cathedral the king
returned to the palace. People on the
streets gave him an ovation. Many fol-
lowed him to tho palace and cheered until
his majesty preared upon the balcony and
thanked the people for this demonstration
of LOYALTY. He promised to guard tho con-
stitution and secure the people the full en-
joyment of their rights.