The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-06-16

Belgrade, June 1.-THE assassination
Of King Alexander and Queen Draga,
the latter $ two brothers, the Servian
premier, minister Of war and former
minister Of war, perpetrated in the dark
hours Of yesterday morning by a band
Of officers, and the proclamation by the
army Of Prince Peter karagorgevitch,
the pretender to the throne, as king of
Servia, has apparently been accepted
by the capital and the Servian people
without a murmur. The meeting Of the
Skupschtina on Monday next is looked
forward to confirm the proclamation as
King, of Prince Karagorgevitch, and
20 regulariZe the situation.
The only new element in the situation
is a feeling among the intelligent class
es in favor of the abolition of a Servian
monarchy altogether and the creation
of a republic, and this sentiment is
shared by at least one member of the
provisional government. Difference of
opinion on this point developed today
at a meeting of the cabinet, when the
new foreign minister, Ljubonir kaliev-
les, expressed his leanings in favor of
the establishment of a republican form
Of government. The majority of the
ministers. however, declared themselves
in favOr of q new k ng in Primo Peter
karagorgevitch. They strengthened
their eclarat ton by the strong
ment that it was C rtain that Austria
and Russia would not countenance the
creation of a republic. This is the view
generally shared by politicians.
The government has laid claim to the
possessions of the late monarch. 1t is
not known whether he left a fortune,
but it is supposed that he had consid-
cradle savings, having lived economical
" during the last decade. 1t is possible
that eX-Queen Natalie may also appear
as an heiress. Queen Draga was in re-
ceipt Of thirty thousand gulden month
ly and also a great savings, which
Will be handed over to her three sisters.
The following is a narrative of the
revolution given by men who took an
active part in it:
Army officers to the number of ninety
formed a project of a revolt, there be-
ing delegates from almost all the gar
risons in Servia, and the majority of the
officers of the sixty regiments.
At 1:40 a. m. the officers of eight reg
iments went to the KenOk, the royal
palace. In the KenOk palace itself the
revolutionaries had two important par
tisians in the Kings body guard-COlo-
mel Alexander MaSchina, Queen Draga's
cousin, not her brOther-in-law, and
the kings personal adjutant, Lieuten-
n NaumOvics. Two officers of the
high military academy appeared at the
appointed hour. , a. m, at the gate of
the Konak, where the kings adiutant.
PanajotOVic, who was in the conspiracy,
handed them the keys to the garden
gate, which is always kept Rocked. First,
stepping before the guard at the konak,
one of the officers called Throw down
your arms" A fight ensued with shock
ing results on both sides, in which sew
eral persons were wounded. The eVO
l~utionaries then entered the front gar
den without hindrance and reached the
court yard of the old kOnak, where
Lieutenant Naumovics was waiting.
Hurrying up stairs to the first floor,
the revolving officers attracted the at
tention of the palace attendants and the
royal couple. by the noise of shooting.
Lieutenant Lavar Petrovich, alarmed
by the unWOnted hubub, hurried for
ward a drawn revolver in one hand and
in the other a sword.
What do you Want?" he cried.
Show US where the King and Queen
are" came the reply.
BACK" cried Petrovitch and at the
anne moment a bullet stretched him
l~ifeless.
The revOlutionaries pressed forward,
when suddenly the electric light gave
out. All stood in darkness.
Officers with burning candles and 9th
ers with pistols commenced TO search
for the royal couple.
At last Queen Draga's servant "
found. He wounded Captain Dimtrivic
severely. but was spared, because he
was needed in finding the fleeing ceu-
pie. Indeed. this servant showed the
officers where King Alexander and
Queen Draga had gone 10 secrete them
selves. When he had told this he was
shot. Colonel Machin now joined the
revOlutionists and led them back to the
sleeping apartment, where the Kings
adjutant tried 10 hinder the search.
He shot at Lieutenant Naumovics
who fell dead. The others killed the
adjutant. After a long search a small
door leading into an alcove was dis
covered, but was found locked. II was
broken in with an ak and here the
royal couple were found in undress.
The older officers first intended forcing
the king to abdicate, but the younger