Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1903-06-22

The recent terrible events are the
logical outcome of a long course Of
wickedness and Jegeneracy. Alexan-
der was a precocious youth with no
moral character. When he was not
more than fifteen years old he fell I'M
der the fascination of Nine. Draga
Maschin, who had been lady in wait
ing 10 his mother. She was an am
bilious and brilliant woman, gifted
with considerable beauty and the
daughter of a cattle dealer in Belgrade
named Lunjevitza. When only seven
teen years of age she was married to
Colonel Maschin of the Servian army,
who obtained a divorce from her be-
cause of her scandalous relations with
the young king, which began when he
was a mere boy, and since that time
she has resided in the palace and ALSO
lutely controlled him. The dOwager
queen, Natalie. again and again at
tempted to bring the boy to his senses
aud break off the relations, but Nine.
Draga had more influence than the
mother and actually compelled the lat
ter to leave the palace and the king
dom of Servia. Natalie is now resid-
ing at Biarritz. very much respected
and beloved, although she made her
self very unhappy.
Draga was naturally anxious to share
the throne with her youthful paramOur.
although she was nearly twice his age,
but her high aspirations were stub
Lornly opposed by the ministers of
state and the leading politicians Of
Servia. During his minority Prince
Alexander ruled the country through
three regents, all venerable and patri-
otto men, and il became necessary for
Draga to get rid of them for her own
safety and the success of her schemes.
She found the young king a willing
tool, and one night. when he was only
seventeen years old, he invited the re-
gents to dine at the palace. While
they sat at dinner they were arrested
upon a charge Of treason and thrown
into prison. while he proclaimed him
self king. This coup d'etat was sue
cessful, for the army admired the au-
dacity of the youngster and sustained
him. He then married his mistress,
and she has been the most interesting
figure in Servian politics.
King Alexander was a degenerate.
He looked as if he had escaped from an
asylum for the deprayed, but was by
no means feeble of mind or body. On
the contrary. he had a vigorous consti-
tuition and on two or three occasions
showed a nerve of power Of command
which wuld do credit TO a great gen.
eral. Unfortunately, he inherited the
depravity of his father, the late King
Milan, who was probably the worst
ruler Europe had seen for a genera
ton. but at the same time the son pos
sessed a physical and moral courage
that Milan never displayed.
Draga MaschiI, the daughter of the
Servian cattle dealer, reached the
throne by a series of sacrifices and in
trigues more sensational than have
ever occurred outside of fiction litera-
ture. and yet she was not happy. For
their sins she and her youthful hus-
band were boycotted by all the courts
of Europe. because of the vulgar COM
e6y by which she reached the throne;
and queen Victoria was so disguised
that she wanted 10 emphasize her dis
approval by Withdrawing the British
minister. There have been a good
many scandals in royal families, as ev-
cry one knows. but there has been
nothing for generations so nasty as
that of Servia.
In order 10 compel Alexander TO
marry her. Draga cOnspired with