Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-06-17
A ROYAL CAPTIVE
Is the Pleasant Prospect for
King Peter.
Servia's Real Government Will Be
Handled by Revolt Leaders.
The Entire Country Now Under
Strictest Military Rule.

Belgrade, June 16.-The position of
King Peter promises to be little more
than that of n royal captive; the real
government of the country will be mill
tary dictatorship under the leaders of
the revolution, Col Maschin and Col.
, Mitschitch. The new King is almost
without any personal adherents and
the ruling spirits of the army, it is
thought probable, would just as readi-
" murder him as they did his pedeces-
sor, should he oppose their aims.
At the present moment the whole
country is under military rule, and al
though no projects in the country dis
tricts have been revoked, each is ac-
companed by an army officer who at
tend the project wherever he goes, even
to the telephone. This policy has led
to one good result; not a single case
of disorder any where has been re-
ported.
Extremely forcible arguments We're
found necessary to suppress the radical
aspirations of a republic. The fore
most advocate of the creation of re-
publican form of government was Lju-
bonir SchichOvics, the editor of the
Belgrade Objek he being impervious to
arguments. The conspirators invited
him to a dinner at the Officers
Club, last Saturday. During the
dinner his party told him that
unless he agreed to support Prince
Peter Karageorgevitch there would be
one head less in Belgrade that night.
NJ. Schichovics yielded to the force of
this reasoning and accepted the situa-
ton. He is now minister of justice in
the new government.
The deliberations of the members of
the Senate and Skupshtina on the Re
publican question We're materially has
tened by the attendance of one of the
leaders of the revolution, Col. Nit
schitch. The colonel took no part in
the proceedings, but his presence was
significant enough to induce the men,
bers to accept the army's choice.
Premier Avakumovics told the deputies
that it was useless to talk of a repub-
lis. as neither Russia nor Austria would
permit it. He further urged that the
proposed new construction would give
King Peter far less power than that
enjoyed by the President of the United
States.
In spite of the semi-official state
ments made, this morning that the del
egation to the National Assembly, lee
tured to submit the crown to the newly
chosen King, had already started, 1t
is still here. The government declares
that the number of its members, "a
would entail too great cost on the
country. in the way of travelling eX-
penSes, but the real reason of the de-
lay is that the government found some
of its members to be adverse to King
Peter. These members sought the OPP
portllnity to become reconciled to him
:lt the expense of the country. Now
that the ministry has cut off their
travelling expenses they desire to make
tho Journey will be greatly diminished,
and the delegation will probably con-
sst of n dozen members at tn" mo It.
Conversations overheard in public places
Indicate that the people, especially th"%"
living outside the capital, know little and
care little about the trend of national pol
tiles.
II is believed that the army will try tn
mako secret terms with the new King by
which it will retain the supremacy gain
ed by the tragedy, but whether the King
will agree TO tine conditions is uncertain.
The following is the text of tho tclc-
gram from Premier AvakumoVics in
which King Peter WAS notified of his
election
The national representatives of peace
sitting together have just elected you
King of Servia. While making You &C.
uuaintcd with the fact the government OF
Scrvia has the honor to tender You its
hcarticSt congratulations and to express
the desire that our country may have a
fortunate and glorious future in store UNI
der the rule of the grandson of the famous
Kara George the first libcrator of Ser
via"
The kilograms sent by the presidents
and vice presidents of the Senate and
siiupShtina was as follows:
"Thc national representatives OF tho
kingdom of Sorvia have unanimously and
enthusiastically elected you hereditary
King of Scrvia. We the undersigned have
tho honor to convey to you our most cor
dial and enthusiastic congratulations"