The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-06-21
ALEXANDER AND DRAGA
 THEIR AMBASSADORS LIVES

The reign of Alexander L, king of Ser via. began in a coup d'etat at midnight March 6. 1888, and ended In assassina- tion at midnight June 10, 1903.
 How Milan came to lose his throne and how his son Alexander came to lose it is told in the events of one of the most disgracefuI chapters in the history of modern Europe.
 King Milan was married October IT., 1875. to the Princess Natalie. daughter of a Russian Col. Kecho, who had espoused the daughter of Prince Stourdnaof, the late reigning family of Moldavia, be- fore that province was united to Walla- chia, to form the present kindom of Rou- mania. When King Milan met Natalie he was 21 and she was IT. Her beauty had made her famous over the empire. Milan fell desperately in love with her, but his suit found no favor in her eyes. She had. moreover. set her affection upon young Russian officer, but her father, flattered at the prospect of an alliance with royalty. overruled all of her objections.
 Natalie threw herself with the utmost enthusiasm into the cause of her new country when war was declared against Turkey. She made a personal appeal to the czar for assistance interested herself ln the hospitals and the widows and or phans, for all of which Servia almost adore her.
 The ex-queen of Servia was considered the most beautiful of all the scions of the Teigning families of Europe. She is above the middle height. with an ele- gantly molded form, black eyes and hair, n brunette complexion, almost faultless features, and a manner that wins it's way at once to the hearts of all whom her majesty endeavors to please.
 Two children were born to their majes- ties-the eldest, born August IA, 1876, was named Alexander after Emperor Alex ander IT. of Russia who was godfather to the young prince; the younger, born two years later, only survived few days
 After the birth of Alexander all the in- born depravity in Milan's nature began to develop itself He neglected the beauti- ful and accomplished woman who had done so much for him and his people and plunged into gross debauchery. Natalie centered all her affections on her child and on the Servians, who reverenced her, while they pitied her for the sorrows she was compelled to endure.
 When young Alexander became of that age when 1t was necessary to determine on the method of his education the breach between Milan and his wife became wider and deeper. Natalie desired that he should be educated by Russian teachers. The king decided that Austrian tutors should have the care of the young prince. In the bitter quarrel that followed she reproached her husband with the scan dalous life he was leading. This led him to set a trap for his wife, the result of
 T .ka44 better than his own. One day, the story goes, she received a visit from the metro politan bishop Michael, who said he came in answer to a note she had sent him. She was indignant and declared that a conspiracy was on foot to destroy her. The kings minions were close at hand and theA bishop was arrested for alleged intimacy with the queen. At the same tins the king applied to the synod. Ma taife, while protesting against the insult, decided for the sake of her child to prove her innocence, but after this she never lived with him.
 In 1888 Milan divorced Natalie and kid- mapped her son, Alexander, who was at this time P years of age. But the scan- dals of Milan's reign had already ex- hausted the patience of the Servian peo- ple Milan faced the alternative of abdi- cation or certain assassination. He chose the former and made bargain with his people sThey paid him $2,O0O,000 and he gave upt his throne.
 Alexander l. mounted the throne on March G. 1889. at the age of 13 years. He had loved his mother, who was the idol of the Servian peaople, and therefore the Servians loved him. Three regents were selected to rule in his name until he should become of age.
 They were Gen. Belimarkovic, M. Rishcs and M. Provitch. They began their regency under the most favorable circumstances The country was at peace and the people contented. Queen Natalie was brought back to Belgrade and given a palace The reign of the boy king had opened auspiciously.
 The exHed Milan, however, persistently ,nferfered in the politics of Servia, and the country was soon in a turmoil. Queen Natalie's hand was felt in the political affairs of the Kingdom and between the lntrigues of Milan and the interference of Natalie the Servian population were brought to the verge of civil war.
 The regents dealt first with Milan. They knew he could be bought with money, for once before he had been induced to sell his throne. A bargain was finally made. The regents restored to Milan the nroperty which had been confiscated when Milan went into voluntary exile. Milan promptly mortgaged it or sold It. The regents further paid Milan H,O0OOOO In cash from the Servian treasury. In return for all this Milan agreed never to rross the Servian frontier and abandoned his citizenship. This was on April IA, 1891.