New-York tribune., 1903-06-13
WRAT NEYT ~ SEREIAS

The revolution in Servia appears to be COM
plete. The conspirators did their Internal work
thoroughly No Obrenovitch is left TO claim the
throne. The field is clear for the Russian can
didate, Peter Karageorgevitch. The result
seems to be accepted by the Servian people, or
at least by the people Of Belgrade, and-which
is perhaps most Importantly the army. 1t is
true. the Servian army has generally been Of
the type described as 'invincible in peace in
visible in war" Nevertheless, it has demon
strated its capacity for reasonable conspiracy
and for brutal murder and massacre, and these
qualities may we'll make it a formidable factor
in domestic affairs. Indeed, it may be quite
dominant so long as no serious foreign compli-
cations arise: in which latter contingency it
would probably take to the woods and wait for
Russia or Austria to move in and save it from
! its foes.
1t does not appear, however that there is, or
is likely to be, any reason for foreign interven-
ton The revolution is thus far a wholly do
mestic affair. If the Servians prefer the Kara
geOrgevitch to the Obrenovitch dynasty, they
have a right to their choice which other ma
tons will probably respect. If Prince Peter be-
comes King Peter by the grace Of murder and
the Servian Skuptschna, and is peaceably
cepted such, he will probably be recognized
and tolerated by the powers That he will com
mand much respect is scarcely to be expected
His character and career are not impressively
admirable, and the circumstances of his acces-
sion to the throne are wholly abominabe.
Nevertheless, other soyereigns of unsayOry ante
cedents have come to thrones by iniquitous
ways. and yet have filed those thrones for
many years with general recognition Of their
legitimacy According to precedent, revolution
gives ample title TO throne
The stability of Peters throne, however, must
be regarded as problematic He may enjoy the
backing OF Russia. But then, he may suffer
the hostility of Austria Hungary. Moreover,
his pro Russian predictions may not command
the hearty and unanimous support Of the Ser
Wan people, and the people are sometimes to
be reckoned with even in Servia. Not all the
pure Serbs are enamoured Of Russian domina-
ton. and there are also in Servia mutitudes of
Rumanians and Albanians, who hate Russia bit
terly and of Bulgarians who are not commit
ted to the pro-Russian policy. We are told. in
deed. that at Nisch much opposition TO the
Karageorgevitch regime is manifested, and
Nisch is Albanian and Bulgarian. Again, the
circumstances of Peters accession set an Omi-
nous example and strengthen menacins ten
dency. 1t was said Of old that they who take
the sword shall perish by the sword. The
king who wades through slaughter TO throne
food of slaughter.
What is certain is that Servia mas through
the occurrences of this week. incurred the deep
reprobation of the civilized world and has placed
herself on distinctly lower plane in its esteem.
Perhaps the right of revolution must be
spected But revolution effected with wanton
brutality marks its perpetrators as thus far sub
merged in barbarism. Perhaps it was well TO
get rid of Alexander 0brenovitch But it was
not we'll TO do it with bloodthirsty savagery
which had not been equalled Oh European soil
since the French Revolution. Men revolving
against an evil ruler may be heroic But men
obsceneIy insulting q woman and hewing her
down with axes are fit objects OF universal
detestation The one heroic figure in the whole
hideous tragedy was that of the doomed young
King himself. as. knowing that in so doing he
flung his own life away, he resented foul in