The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-06-17
The Assassinations in seryia.

Servia has the territorial area of the
considerably less thar Georgia. While
ers, and for that reason having moth
ing to fear from Turkey, the little
agricultural state has maintained
standing army of 21, 600 men-only A.,
900 less than the army Of the United
States at the outbreak Of the Spanish
war. The idle army took sides with
the political parties, while another and
more powerful section has latterly been
intriguing in behalf Of the aspirant to
the throne. To further complicate the
situation the king and queen represent
ed the antagonistic parties; it was a
house divided against itself.
The swinging of the pendulum OF
fate and the visitation unto the chill
dren of the fourth generation of their
inherited sins are presented more clear
ly in this shocking tragedy in Bel
grade than is usually revealed to the
observer. In 1904, Servia, under the
leadership of Karagefgevitch was
wrested from the Turks, and for nine
years an Independent government was
maintained. But this position could
not be held and Turkey again subju-
gated the country. In 1880 Milosch
Obrenovitch, swineherd and great
grandfather of King Alexander just
murdered, assassinated Karagerge-
witch, grandfather of the newly pro-
claimed king, and then leading this
people, forced an acknowledgement Of
Servian independence from the Porte.
Michael, king of Servia, grand uncle
of Alexander, was assassinated in 1868.
So it was by assassination that the
first of the Obrenovitch dynasty
reached the throne and by assassina-
tion the last Of the house perishes-
the Karageorgevitch dynasty returning
to power after many years.
The murdered king was 27 years old.
His father, Milan I, abdicated in 1889,
in favor Of his son who was then a
and who was to ascend the throne at
the age Of 18. But Alexander when II
years old overthiew the regency and
assumed the royal prerogatives.
Because of the humble origin OF his
house, Alexander could not seek a
bride in the courts of even the small
est monarchies. In 1900 he married
Draga Maschin, woman nine years
his senior. The queens influence has
not been of the best. The immodest
quarrels of the couple attracted con-
siderable attention in Europe. The
absence of an heir to the throne was
a serious menace to the peace of such
a country as Servia. but the failure of
the attempt of Queen Draga about
year ago, by we'll laid plans and the
connivance of court physicians, to de-
ceive the people as to the advent
of an heir, did not increase her pop
ularity. The belief that the king was
about to name the queens brother as
his successor seems to have fired the
adherents of Prince Petre Karageorge-
witch to the wholesale butchery.
Nominaliy, Servia has liberal con-
stitutional monarchy. The ballot is
restricted by the ability of the sub
ject to pay tax. Eligibility to
membership in the lover house depends
on the Servian's ability to read and
write. He must also pay much
larger tax than the subject who votes.
But the king has run affairs with
high hand, setting aside the con-
stitution when he pleased. He has
slain where he willed, or where the
stronger minded queen willed. They
have governed with strong hand and
have figured in ignoble roles. So
there is little mourning in Servia for
the last of his race.-State.