Durango semi-weekly herald., 1902-01-16

compelled To abdlcate by an outraged
people. and was succeeded by his
eldest son. Milan ILL.,. who died
month later. and his brother Michael
was seated.
Michael made good king. He
was liberal, just. progressive and in
troduced many modern improvements
into Servia, besides carrying on the
reforms begun by Karageorge. He
built fine system of roads and high
| ways. erected several good public
buildings. laid out parks. built an
| opera house and an art gallery, all
of which were excellent things in
| their way. but cost money The
peasants. who have Always ruled
Servia. objected to what they called
German ideas" and drove Michael
from power, electing as king In his
place Alexander Karageorgevitch. a
son of the national hero. The latter
had held an humble position in the
Servian army. was modest, quiet and
reserved. In an transformations way
he continued the policy of public i'm
provements begun by Michael. en-
couraging the arts and industries.
During his reign Servia enjoyed
peace for several years and made
rapid progress, but the dissatisfied
element soon began agitations again,
and. encouraged by the partisans of
the Obrenovitch family. obtained CON
troll OF the parliament, which demand
ed Alexander's abdication, and called
back old Milos, who had been in ex-
lie in Austria. He reigned for two
years, until he died. and 1t was good
for country that his life was not pro-
longed. for he labored under the de-
lusion that his recall was vindica-
tion of his previous autocratic policy,
and was worse than ever.
Upon the death of Milos, Michael
again came into power. During his
exile he had travelled much. had
studied the art of government in sew
eral of the European capitals, had
learned foreign languages and for
eign AFFAIRS. and this education and
observation, with his national abilf-
ties. made him safe and prudent
sovereign. He was altogether the
best ruler Servia has ever had, but
there were continual conspiracies
against him by partisans of the
Karageorge family. and being unable
to control the parliament. they re-
moved Michael by assassination He
was murdered In the garden of his
country palace. It was the intention
of the coaspirators to proclaim Peter
Karageorgovitcb as king simultan-
eously with the announcement of
Michael's death. but their carriage
broke down on their way back to Bel
grade and the news of their crime
preceded them. The minister Of war
took prompt action, arrested the as
sassins and locked them up In the
dungeons of the citadel
The plot proved to be widespread
Several members Of the Karageorge
family were convicted of completely
and put to death. but there was no
direct evidence against Peter who
then, IA now was living quietly at
Lucerne. Switzerland. engaged In
scientific pursuits. His late wife.
Zorka. was a daughter OF the reign
Ing Prince OF Montenegro. and he has
two sons In the Russian army. He Is
now an old man. but like Don Carlos
Of Spain and the Duke OF Orleans OF
France. is n recognized "pretender.
and his name Is always used by the
outs as shibboleth when they are
trying to raise revolution
The national assembly placed Mil
an Nv. on the throne. and In 1869 he
was crowned. While getting his edu
cation In Paris he had acquired hab-
it's of luxury, gambling and dissipa-
tion, which unified him for the re-
sponsibility of ruling a primitive and
restless country like Servia. His
love of pleasure, his low tastes reck-
less extravaganza and selfish disposi-
tion were his ruin. He squandered
the nations money and lost his pri-
vate fortune at cards. His wife.
Natalie Keskho. daughter OF col
onel in the Russian army. was com
PEELED to leave him and was finally
granted divorce. Their domestic
troubles and the scandals of the Ser
vian court for dozen years during
the reign OF Milan furnished gossip
for all Europe. and finally, enervated
by dissipation and despised by his
subjects and all decent people. he rb-
dicated In 1889 in favor Of his son
Alexander. lad OF 13. who is now
King OF Servia.
This precocious youth. when not
more than 15 years old. fell under
the fascinations OF Nine. Draga Mas
| chin, who had been a lady in waiting
| to his mother. She fs an ambitious
and brilliant woman. gifted with con
siderable beauty. and the daughter Of
cattle dealer In Belgrade named
LunJevitza. When she was only II
or Is she married Colonel Maschin.
an engineer in the Servian army. who
obtained a divorce from her because
OF her scandalous relations with the
young king, which began when he
was mere boy. and since that time
she has resided in the palace and his
absolutely controlled him. His moth
er. the Dowager Queen Natalie. at
tempted to bring the lad to his san
ses and break off the relations. bat