The Topeka state journal., 1903-06-18
KING PETERS DUTY
Is Pointed Out by Russia in an
Official Note.

St Petersburg. June 1S.-An official
note was published in the Gazette to-
day recognizing Peter Karag ageorgevitch
as king of Servia and welcoming his
accession In brief the note declares
that it is incumbent upon King Peter
to avenge. the assassination of KING
Alexander and Queen Draga, and ex-
presses the conviction that he Win
know how to severely punish the regl~
cides, whose misdeeds should not be
visited on the entire Servian nation OF
army The note adds that it would
be dangerous to the tranquility or
Servia to leave the crime unpunlshed
The text of the note follows:
"A week has now elapsed since the
dav of the bloody revolution at BEL
grade an intima ton of which could not
be given to the imperial government III
the customary official form becauss
legal authority was lacking in SerVla
Strictly adhering to her standpoint OF
noninterVention in the internal aftais
of the Balkan states. and at the same
time finding it impossible to hold any
intercourse with the persons who have
arbitrarily usurped power, Russia mas
awaited the conclusion of the troubles
in order to define clearly her attitude
toward the events in SerVia. The
SkuDtshitna and senate assembled IL
extraordinary session June 16. the legal
order of things was re-eStablished, a1G
Prince Peter Karag georgevitch was
complying with the request of the ma
tional assembly has consented to
ascend the throne of Servia under the
name of Peter l. Immediately after
the proclamation the new king tele>
graphed to the czar asking his imperia.
ma jesty to recognize him as kins.
whereupon the reply of his majesty il,
confirmation of this was sent.
fsThe imperial government while hail
ing the election of the new monarch,
scion of a glorious dynasty, and wishing
all success he has so we'll begun to the
supreme head Of the Servian people
which is allied to Russia by ties of re-
ligiOn. cannot refrain from expressing
the confident hope that King Peter will
be able to give evidence of his sense OF
Justice and flrmneSs of will by adopting
measures at the outset to investigate the
abonlinable deed that has been COM
mitted and mete out rigorous punish
ment to those traitorous criminals who
have stained themselves with the infamy
attaching to regicides. OF course the
entire Servian nation or army cannot
be held responsible for the crime which
revolts public conscience yet it would
be dangerous to SerVia'S internal peace
not to exact expiation for the revolution
carried out with violence by the mill
tary. Such neglect would inevitably re-
act in an unfavorable manner on the
relations OF all the states with SerNla
and would create for Servia serious diff
f1culties at the very commencement of
the reign of King Peter T.
Ihelr RUSSIAN cO-re1glOnlSIS OfTer 10
God SupplicatiOnS for the repOSe of the
souls of King Alexander and his consort
who have met an untimely end and they
invoke the blessings of the Almighty on
the rule of King Peter for the welfare
and prosperity of the Servian people,
VienEa. June 1s.-In his telegram of
congratula ton to King Peter Prince
Nicholas of Montenegro says.
ITO the whole of Servia 1 send wish
es of happiness. but first of all to her
heroes. who in the person of the grand
son of George the Black. today received
the long desired knight of a knightly
stock that they may revive together
with him the inborn virtue with which
the freedom and independence Of Servia
was conquered and established
"All the serbs from the sea to the
Danube greet your auspicious success
sion.
The founders of our houses Kara
george and Vladika Danilo. will ever
live and glow in Servian hearts.
Hail to the justice Of God; hail to