New-York tribune., 1903-06-29
A GLIMPSE OF MONTENEGRO.
4 Sketch of the Country and It's Ruler
Character of Prince Nicholas.
To the Editor ~ The T,r,b,,ne

| To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: The tragedy In Belgrade. which has Just
startled the world, has aroused interest in the con-
dttion Of the Balkan States, and it may be appro-
| pirate TO give short account of the oldest and
| bravest of them. I speak of little State which
has never been subjugated by foreign foe-ittle
| Montenegro, which for centuries kept at bay the
Turkish power, and remained invincible among her
mountain Businesses, while all Europe trembied at
the onset of the Moslem invader
know little of Servia, and nothing Of her late
rulers but have been honored with the friendship
OF the Prince OF Montenegro and his second son.
Prince Mirko who may possibly be a candidate for
the Servian crown; and am anxious to give my
friends in the States idea of what a Balkan
| prncipality Is like
MONTENEGRO is approached by Austrian Lloyd
steamers from Trieste, and the traveller lands at
the quaint old port of Cattaro. which. with its
dones ana turrets. looks like a bit of medieval
Turkey. 1t belongs TO Austria. but Montenegro
means to get it some day; it is her natural outlet
TO the sea There will be violent attempt to
take it, but Prince Nicholas told that 1t ought
to be his and no doubt when the Austrian Empire
breaks up must it viii naturally fall to him
On the quay at Cattaro you hire ramshackle car
rage with lean horses. whose harness is eked out
with much rope, and begin to wind slowly up among
the infinite mountains. bare and black, until little
waysde port informs the traveller that he has LETT
the Austrian Empire and IS in Nontenegrin territory
At the summit of the mountains halt is made in the
hamlet of Nj6gush where rough inn. with earthen
floor, affords coarse brown bread and cheese and
the rough red wine Of the country. Then begins
the long winding descent into the valley as even
ing falls. AT last few Lights twinkle in the dis
tance and the carriage rattles into CettlnJe the
capital-just village with long street OF white
washed, red rooted houses and at the end of it, at
the lett stands the little hotel built to receive
the diplomats who came arrange the frontier
in 1873. On the right, just up turning stands the
palace OF Prince NIchOIas-an unpretending villa OF
white stone. which would MI a New-York million
The day atter my, arrival in Montenegro hap
pered be the birthday OF the late Queen Victoria,
and l presented my letters of introduction and
credentials British Minister and the Prince.
A tan, stout OF imposing appearance is Prince
NirhOas: a man with a great intellectual fore
head gray hair and gray eyes. He said appropriate
heath "ieA US Soe o = 6 4 aSA1o o 10 hire Ge ea At
the palace next SNeii.iL6 eolIe Go 4lot Ie CdI-
footnen In red veries ushered US up to the recep-
ton room of the Princess. She stood by the fire
place, tall, majestic lady, clad in gray dinner
her hand as we were introduced, but did not kiss
tit is not etiquette for Engsh people to kiss the
the Prince did take the head OF the table.
conversation which was entirely in French. encir-
cIed it. The contrast between the old and
with Frenc6 Vines but Prince Niohoia s PPincs
Mrko and the he two Cabinet ministers who were
white robes they had scarlet jackets embroidered
revoIvers and q dagger-every Montenegrin carries
these it is punishable offence not to carry about
It is not. of course for repeat the conversa-
t1on at r pry1t5e Nr5oa dinner S party 6 sGfe to say
Of high irtelligence He is a great collector OF
power Is absolute; there parliamentary in
sttutions to limit it, and one of the ministers
they, preferred despotism. Such a rising has
prince is beoved@aimost adored-by his subjects
l have never seen happier and more contented
''"'Aa' ''A''' R. {. FuL1NGHAM.
New-Yorl June 27 1893.