The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-11-18
ALEXANDRA OF nArrENBERe DEAD
The Foolish Soldier OF Fortune Who
Tried TO he q King.


Tried TO he q King.
GRAFT, Nov. l7.-Prince Alexander OF
Battenberg died at noon of Inflammation
of the bowels.
Prince Alexander OF Battenberg was
born April 5. 1851. aud was the son OF
Prince Alexander OF Hesse, whose sister
was empress of Russia. His mother was
daughter Of Count Hancke, who was a
Russian general and for q time minister OF
war. Upon her marriage with the Prince
OF Hesse she received the title Of Princess
of Bstteuberg. Prince Alexander was the
second son OF this union, his elder brother
being now In the British navy, having
married into the royal family. He served
with the Russian army all through the
Turkish war, and became well acquainted
with Bulgaria and its inhabitants. He
rode in the ranks of the Eighth Uhians,
and was also attached 10 the staff OF Prince
Charles of Ronmania At the siege of
Pleva he gained unusual experience, was
among the first who crossed the Balkans
with Gen. Gourko, and accompanied the
Grand Duke Nicholas TO Consfantinopie.
After the close OF the war he was trans
ferred TO the Prussian Life Guards, and
while doing garrison duty at Pots
da'a was elected prince of Bai-
garia- The principaiity OF Bn1garia
in 1878, after the Russo Turkish war. IL
is nominslly part of Turkey, but Russian
influence Is very strong, and it sas
through Russian influence that the ma
tionai assembly in 1879 elected Alexander
OF Battenberg IS reigning prince. After
his election be visited all the European
courts, then entered his kingdom, where
the people received him with great enthu-
siasm. His lack of tact caused him to lose
the confidence of Russia at the start, for
be aimed TO make Bulgaria nation indie
pendent of any other. In 1880 Alexander
surrendered completely to Russia, put
Russian officers in charge OF the army and
encouraged Russian immigration, TO the
intense dissatisfaction OF Austria. In 1881
he overthrow the liberal constitution by
coup d. etat. and gained the lasting ili-will
of the people. He tried TO govern the
kingdom as he would German regiment.
When invited 10 accept the throne the
witty Bismarck advised him TO ac-
eept, because his reign would be "a
pleasant "reminiscences. In 1888 Alexan-
der found himself a mere tool of Russia
and almost poyerless. He then called the
bulgarian Liberals to his aid and tried to
shake off the Russian yoke. He could not
obtain Independence, but peace was main
tanned. In 1ss5 Eastern Roumelia re-
yoltea against its government and was an
nexed bv bulgaria, in violation of the
treaty of Berlin. and Bulgaria also TO-
mented trouble in Servia Finally King
Milan of Servia declared war on Bulga-
ria and invaded the country, but was de-
feated. On August 10. 1856. Prince Alex
ander's rule was oveFIhrown by reyolc-
ton of the Russian army officers. and he
Left the country. subsequently he returned
and reascended the throne, the people
welcoming him back. On September 3,
however. having been notified that Rus
STA, Germany and Austria wished him to
abdIcate, he did so. His successor. Ferdi-
nand of Saxony, does Russias bidding
and has no trouble. In 1889 under the
name of the Comte de Hartenau, Alex
ander married Amelia Lsisnger, ceie-
brated actress, and retired to his estates,
where they lived happiIy.l