New-York tribune., 1903-06-13
A SKETCH OF THE CHOSEN KING.
Aspirations for Greater Servia-Hls Con-
duct in the Franco -Prussian War.

checkered career His life has been filled with
daredevil escapades and the ups and downs OF
royal pretender and a soldier Of fortune he mas
been constantly engaged in intriSues. plots ana
counterpots for the realization of his royal aims
At the homes Of Prince Bodijar Karageorgevitch
and other members and friends OF the family this
afternoon 1t pointed out that much confusion
existed concerning the various branches OF the
family. Prince Peter the newly proclaimed KING
Is the head Of the younger branch of the family
which occupied the throne through MS Iathef'
Alexander, 1912 to 1856. Prince Alexis is the
head of the elder branch of the family Prince
Bodjar is a brother of Alexis Prince Peter mas
a brother named Arsene, who is living here. Ii
was Prince Alexis who visited America. which ere
ated impression among Americans mere Ihal
the new King was once in the United States
Prince Peter inherited from his fathef hhs
Alexander and his grandfather, Kara George. the
intense family bitterness for the wrongs committed
against the House of KarageorgeVitch- lie seems
have chosen a military career TO- the puipo'e
of fitting himself avenge his wrongs and restore
himself and his family to their royal rights In
personal appearance he resembles his Famous
grandfather.
Fl. received in Belgrade the early education OF
prince, but when a boy of twelve he saw the rule
of his family terminated and he and MS reiauVes
were driven into exile. Since then he has been
wandering royal pretender, and OFTEN resloeo an
Paris whittier he Immediately after ms eAiie
He entered the Lycee of Sainte Baroe' ana 'lefe
qualified himself for the military schooi OF o'. ~
from which he graduated a sub-lieutenant Later
he entered the Military Staff College, and gradual
ing just before the outbreak OF the Frahco-liuS
sian war. he plunged into this conhict as an ohhoei
of the Foreign Legion, which was largely mace up
of scions of noble houses and adventurous foreign
ers. This famous body attached to the FIJI
teenth Army Corps, often receiving attention ana
Praise from Napoleon Ill
He was in the hardest fighting Of the war ana
took part in the battle Orleans where his cousin
Nicolaieytch, was killed. He there attracted the
attention of General Biliot who made him a mem
ber of his personal staff. He showed conspicuous
bravery in the battle of villersexel and was re-
warded with the decoration of the Legion OF Honor
On the conclusion of the he turned his at
tention to Herzegovina's struggle for liberty ana
took a prominent part in the rising which was the
starting point of the Russo-Turkish war lie
spent the greater part of his fortune in aiding the
insurgents One of his comrades in arms. named
Nechch. describes him as an enthusiast IN the
national cause dreaming Of a greater Servia and
of all the Servians under flag. He even offered
TO serve under the late King Milan, whom he re-
garded as usrrper of the Servian throne, and be
his loyal soldier If the Servan army would join
the insurgents King Milan refused, and thus IN
tensffed the rivalry between the two houses.
After the Russo Turkish War the Cars disgust
with King Milan's course rendered the Russian
sovereignty friendly to the Karageorgevitch fam
ily. It was the Car who arranged Prince Peters
marriage with Princess Zorka of Montenegro
Prince Peter then withdrew from warfare to Paris
1t at this time that he became well known as
a Partisan figure, but twelve years absence has
largely effaced the recollection Of him. When his
wife died, in 1890 Prince Peter went to Geneva.
where he has since resided. though making occa-
sfonal visits here OF his three children, his daugh
ter Helen is living with her father, and his
two sons George and Alexander. are both in the
corps OF pages the Russian Court, but at their
fathers express request the not enjoying
the special privileges granted to the children Of
princes.
During his life in Geneva he kept up his rela-
tions with the political leaders in Servia' but al
ways maintained that he took no active part in the
plots against King Alexander. At the time of Ala
yantics's attempt revolt. in 1902. charges OF
completely were made against Prince Peter, who
then addressed an indignant letter to the Paris
papers. in which he said:
take this opportunity to deny King Alexander's
former ministers now in Austria; and l also DENY
seGva whdh were not inspired or approved by
Lastly and once TOR az srle eo1 an ann no fomenting
trouble Why should have agents to lncite revolt
King Alexander is performing this task better
than any one elseZ
Prince Peter constantly cultivated relations with
the Russian court through his late wife he has
MANY royal connections, including his brother-in-
law, Nicolaievitch who is cousin of the Car
the Crown Prince of Montenegro, the Queen Of
Italy Princess Francis Joseph of Battenberg and
Prince Mirlso. Prince Peter and Princesses Aen1a
and Vera, of Montenegro.
Through all his wanderings Prince Peter has
carefully preserved the family relics, among which
are the arms of King Kara George and the blood
stained handkerchief that the latter wore when he
was beheaded by order of King Alexander's
This bloody heirloom indicates the spirit Of
his aspirations
Geneva. June 12-Prince Karageorgevitch and mis-
brother on attaining their majority. lived gay
life in Paris. They both avowed republican prtnci-
pies but Prince Peter often at the court. of
Napoleon III with his intimate friend Petrovitch
Niegoch the present Minister of Montenegro, who
IN DariS for adj
Peter went to Montenegro TO live after marrying
the Prince of Montenegro's daughter After her
death he came to Geneva. He had good income
from extensive estates in Bulgaria, but has given
it all to party in Serva. His children being
educated in St Petersburg by their aunts. because
their fathers means are too small. He is devoted
to his children especially to his son George When
the hovs are in Geneva for the summer vacation
their father takes them regularly to the Greek
Church and carefully watches their studies
He frequently talked to their professors insisting
that they should make the boys study hard, es
pecially George, because he might be day King
of Servia but he discussed the situation
with George. The children reared simply, and
have no idea of political affairs. George said
day: 81 don't want to be King. Servia is no fun"
Prince Peters greatest pleasure is shooting. and
he has many trophies IN his home. He belongs
to the Geneva Shooting Club and has taken many
prizes won at the targets He formerly rode a
great deal. but has rheumatism. and never rides
now. He never kept a carriage in Geneva, and
was often out walking. He is skilful chess
player, and played game every night with his
sons when they here. He kept open house for
all Servians passing through Geneva and gener-
ally had some guest at his home. AS young
Prince Peter was a skilful fencer.
He was not friendly with his father-fn-Iaw, the
Prince of Montenegro. but his mother-in-law
very friendly to him and has visited him in Geneva
The Queen of Italy is his best friend in his wife's
family. She always sending to the children