The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-26

from the palace. BY selecting the heir
apparent in advance future conspiracies
may be avoided, but the political interests
of great part Of the European CONT
nent are directly involved in the selection
and the question is, Shall Russia name the
man?
King Alexander is a degenerate, and his
brief career is disgusting. He looks as if he
had escaped from an asylum for the de-
PRAYED, but is by no means feeble of mind
or body. On the contrary, he has a vigorous
constitution, and on two or three occasions
has shown a nerve and power of command
which would do credit TO a great general.
Unfortunately he has inherited some of the
depravity of his father, the late KIM
Milan. who was probably the worst ruler
Europe has seen for a generation, but at
the same time the son possesses a physical
and moral courage that Milan never dis
played.
To understand the situation in Servia il
is necessary to know little of the history
of this interesting country, which is always
furnishing a sensation for Europe, and the
story OF the feud between two peasant fam
lilies, which has been the cause of most of
the trouble. At the beginning of the pres
ent century Servia was Turkish province
and was governed by a just and humane
pasta named Hadji Mustapha. He was not
only popular. but was beloved by his Chris
tian subjects, and the land was peaceful
however.
did notAapprove of his liberal policy or his
efforts to protect the inhabitants against
their extOrtiOnS and crueltieS so they shut
him up in the citadel and put him to death
They explained to the Sultan that he had
been untrue TO the Turks and was friend
of the Christians. The Janissaries had their
own way for four or five years, and, fear
ing an uprising of the people, decided to
murder every man who could possibly be
looked upon as a leader. Thousands were
massacred; every town and village in
nvxria xxrffI
who escaped to the mountains was a.
swineherd named George Petrovitch
George the son of Peter), better known to
history by his nickname, Kara (BMckO
George because of his dark complexion and
raven hair. He is the greatest hero of
Servian history and TO him his country
owes it's independence from the Turks.
He was a reticent man and generally re-
spected, but was absolutely illiterate, being
unable to read or write, and could not even
sign his name. When he became King he
used a peculiar cipher or rubrc TO show his
approval OF state papers. But he had nat
ural ability and sagacity. His integrity was
never questioned and his sense OF justice
was spartan. lie allowed his own brother
To suffer the death penalty as an example
TO others for defying the authority of the
government. While King OF Servia he wore
the ordinary PEASANTS garb because he
said it was more appropriate to his ignor-
ance and simple character than a crown
and robe OF state, and he lived with the
same frugality when he was tending his
pigs in the mountains, often cooking his
own meals in the palace kitchen.
karageOrge drove out the Turks and or
ganiZed liberal monarchy in Servia Keen
~ appreciating his own deficiencies the
first thing he did was 20 establish a free
public school system in every province
with a university at Belgrade He intro
duced courts of justice, reduced taxation
punished corruption, suppressed vice and
organized the different branches of the
government with the skill of an experienced
statesman; but the people were not able to
advance at his rapid pace and he suffered
or their generation His enemies encom-
passed him about, and his critics interfered
with his plans for the Improvement of rhe
country. In a nit of anger and indignation
because the public would not sustain his re-
forms he abdicated the crown after a reign
of nine years. He was the founder of the
karageOrgOvitch family, which is one of
troll of Servia.
MILOS OBREN.
His rival the founder of the other faction.
was also a peasant, the son Of a house serv-
ant, man who did mental work about the
castle of prominent family named Obren.
His own name was Tescho, but, as is COM
mon among the Balkan peasants. he had no
family name, and when he became conspic-
uous enough TO need one he adopted that of
his master. and the first Of the present
reigning house Of Servia became known as
Milos Obren.
When Karageorge abdicated Milos was
the most influential man left in the city OF
Belgrade. and the Turkish pasha who in
vaded the country and captured the city APP
pointed him governor OF the province This
honor excited his ambition and, jealousy.
and fZn -.