The Washington times., 1903-06-11
arrange a new government and consti-
City Becomes Quiet.


sination of the monarchs, quickly re-.
turned to state of comparative quiet.
While immense crowds we're gathered in
the streets discussing the news and
arguing the right and wrong of the
revolutionists' acts. there were no signs
of further disturbances.
The general public, which has beer
dashed by the whip of A1exander's intol-
Grant and high-handed way of carrying
out his plans. did not appear to feel any
particular sorrow for his untimely end,
but on the other hand. generally ex-
pressed feeling of relief. Despite the
comparative quiet. however, a strong
guard has been posted about the palace
to preclude any further attacks there.
Precedent for Assassination.
A notable coincidence of the affair is
that on this date in 1858 Alexander's
great-uncle was also assassinated.
This mornings tragedy is the final
chapter in an eighty-year contest be-
tween the -Georgovitch and obre-
novitch families The Kara Georgovitch
family came into power in 1907, when
Kara George. (BIack George who. be-
ginning life as a peasant, gathered his
own class about him in an insurrec-
tion. drove the Turks from the country,
and was himself recognized as prince
The First 0brenovitch
He held the throne until 1917, when
the Turks again secured control of the
country, and placed Miloch the first IF
the obrenoyitchs. on the throne. Miloch
was ruler until 1889. when he in turn
was deposed by BLACK George. and
forced to flee from the country
After a few years the Obrenovitch
family again secured the upper hand and
Black George was murdered After the
Ghrenovitch clan had-fasted for some
years the people became tired of their
rule and elected Prince Alexander, the
son OF Black George, 10 the throne
His rule lasted for seventeen years.
in which time in 1856, by the treaty of
Paris, Servia was taken under the col
leotive protection of the European pow
ers. King Milan, of the obrenovitch
family. secured the throne in 1873 but
abdicated in favor of his son. King Alex
ander. in 1889. Alexander was the last
OF his race.
Hatred for Draga.
The causes which preeipitated this
mornings revolution We're many, but
back of it all could be seen popular ha-
tired for Queen Draga. Ever since her
marriage TO Alexander her hand has been
manifest in the government of the coun-
try and inasmuch as she was. be-
fore her marriage 10 the young king, but
one of the ladies' of the court. and held
a more or less subservient position at
best. jealousy got in its work among the
other court di-nitaries, and quickly
spread to the common people.
Added to this was her efforts on sew
eral occasions 10 have one OF her
brothers named as successor to The
throne. While the Servian people had
no serious objections to change Of
dynasty now and then. they did OBJ
ject strenuously to any of Draga's fam
lily ruling them. To add to the irrita-
ton growing in the popular mind, Alex
ander en- several occasions took things
completely out of the hands of tie
skuptschina, the servian parliament,
even going so far recently as TO com
Iletely abolish that body.
The Last Straw.
He discovered his mistake in this mat
-
it. This saIved the feelings of the
country for short time. but, urged on
by Queen Draga. the King again took
things in his own hands at the recent
elections to parliament. and By. coercion
and forged ballots obtained body which
was purely ministerial
This. as has been already said, was
the last straw. andzth outcome was the
tragedy of the early morning
Alexander's Stormy Career.
King Alexander was born on August
Il, 1876 He took the throne in Marcn.
1889. when his father. the notorious Mi
Ian. abdicated in his favor. after di-
yorcing Queen Natalie. When crown
prince he accompanied his mother into
exile, after her separation from King
Milan. but was forcibly taken from her
al Berlin, and returned to Belgrade,
where he remained.
On July %, 1900 ne was married 10
Nine Draga Maschin. Nine. Draga at
thar time was about forty years old.
and had a son about sixteen years old.
She was not beauty She had unusual
mental gifts and uncommon refinement,
and was also bewitching conversations
alts;
Draga of Obscure Birth.
Nine. Draga Maschin was of obscure
birth, bat had become a lady in waiting
10 Queen Natalie. and the announcement
Of the Kings betrothal to. her caused
4 sensation throughout servia and COM
motion in Vienna
The King was made aware of the OPP
position 10 the marriage but he kept
his counsel
One fine morning on the walls of Bel
grade was found posted a long -winded
fior, -, ,,oc,I.