The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-11-29
A KING OF Bahama
An Episode of Diplomacy in Eu-
ropes Unsettled Country.
ny PERCY n.

of the prominent part taken by Sir John TEN
pleton In thwarting one of the ooldest strokes Of
modern Russian diplomacy In eastern Europe
and thereby h%vertlnE one OF the most serious po
lltical complications that havo threatened Eu,
rope within the present generation.
There was, moreover. n mystery attaching "a
this singular event which enhanced the general
excitement IL caused. ard, until this day, has
never been publicly cleared up.
IL, The King of Balkania. as well as his brother
and heir. p~rosumptive. had always been noted
for his strong anti Russian policy. Indeed, &c
f~orestall the possibility OF actual coercivc
measures on RussiR's part. his Majesty himself
had opened up negotiations with the other great
powers, the aim OF which was tho conclusion OF
n convention that would once for all preclude
Bahama from entering into any binding con.
tract with a foreign power under whatsoever
pretext. save with their sanction and consent
first obtained.
But for the fact that white these negotiations
wero pending his Majesty unfortunately fell Ill
of typhoid fever. there can be but little doubt
that they would have been brought to a satisfnc-
tory conclusion. in spite OF the strenuous opposi-
tion of the Balkanian Prime Minister. Count
Sastrowitch. whose leaning toward Russia was
notorious. who was moreover known to have
exerted all his great influence over the King
in order to induce him to listen favorably to
the Russian proposals.
What had caused his Majesty's sudden change
of front was a complete riddle. But he had
barely recovered from his illness. during which
his brother. Prince GreRor Alexander, had been
appointed Regent, when. to everybody's con-
sternatIon, he refused absolutely to ratify the
convention with the great powers. He had
reconsidered the matter. he declared. and would
abide by his Prime Minister'S policy and accede
to the proposals OF Russia.
1t was at this critical juncture that Prince
Gregor Alexander, whose faith in Sir John
Templeton's Judgment, like that of every one
who knew him, was very great, took the desper-
ate course OF summoning the old diplomatist
from Vienna.
1--WE are at our wits end" he wrote to him.
and l know no one better qualified to help us
than you. There are powers at work here which
battle us. one and all. and this devil Sastrowitch
is at tho bottom of the business. have always
known him to be an INSCRIPTIONS schemer, but
in this instance his position seems unassailable
for he undoubtedly possesses the Kings full
support. though l am convinced that tho
nscendancy he has gained over my brothers
mind has not been obtained by natural or legiti-
mate means"
The result OF this letter. which was accom-
panied by q few lines from Sir Richard Arson,
the British Plenipotentiary, cordially endorsing
tho Princes words and inviting Sir John to
take up his quarters at the embassy during his
visit, was the arrival of the old d%iplomatist three
days later at Metropolis, the Balkanian capital.
unfortunately" said Sir Richard Arson. as
he drove with Sir John Templeton to the palace
Of the Prince Regent. " Prince Gregor Alexan-
der, though gifted with an intellect Of a stamp
superior to that of his brother. is on the other
hand no less lacking than he in those qualities
of frmness and decision to the absence of which
in his Majesty the rise to power and influence of
such q man as this Sastrowitch Is due. 1t ia i'm
that you should bear this in mind, Sir
John. The conditions of politicallife in the East
are totally different from the conditions pre-
vailing in our Western world. Here, intrigue
fiourishes as an art, and governs all things.
social rs well rs political. and a greater adept In
the art than this fellow Sastrowitch it would be
difficult to conceive"
Had Sir Richard Arson been observant, he
might have noticed n smile Of amusement pass
over the wrinkled countenance Of the old diplo-
matist while he listened to this well-meant ad-
vice. But Sir John made no reply. He merely
bowed with great gravity. and q few minutes
later the carriage drove through the grand
archway of the Prince Regents palace and
drew up In front of the entrance. The s~entinels
on duty presented arms as the Plenipotentiary,
followed by Sir John Templeton. alighted and
passed into the building. Ten minutes after
ward they were closeted in conference with
his Royal HIghness Prince Gregor Alexander.
They found the Prince. with an oficial-look-
ing document in his hand, in a state OF great
perturbation.
II fear you have arrived Just in time to as
at my obsequies." he said. handing the
document to Sir John. after briefly acknowledge
ing the prompt response he mad given to his
invitation. This destroys our last hope"
Sir John glanced at the document and then at
the Prince.
Your Royal HiRhness deprived Of the COM
mand OF the army ~ he said. When was this
Cabinet order issued 2"
AT midnight yesterday" the Prince an
swered. You will observe that Gen. Rostron,
the most servile supporter of Russia In the
whole army, has been appointed my successor.
1 am disgraced. All! his Majesty would never
OF his own free will have put such an afront
upon his brother. He is possessed by the evil
influence of that demon Sastrowitch. And he
refuses even to see or hear me.r
yet the King was well enough yesterday to
give his usual audience" Sir John remarked.
-" True" said the Prince. And have reason
to know that Sastrowitch and the Russian Am
bassador were with the King at the very mo.
ment that !. his brother. was unable to gain ad-
mittance. Your journey. ! fear. has been use.
less, Sir John. / see no means now of intro
ducing you into his Majesty's presence; and
without an Interview"
Let that not distress you. SIR" said Sir John.
II no longer require your Hlghness's good offices
In introducing me TO his Majesty"
"You no longer require them ?" the Prince
said. But how"
II have already seen the King" Sir John re-
piled quietly.
Sir Richard Arson looked up in surprise.