Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-09
Naughty Toward America.


Naughty Toward America
In matters of state Peter is by no means
as dignifed as some of the ServIan legis-
lators would possibly like him to be On
the occasion of opening his first skupsh-
tina tparliament he astonished the MEM
bers by walking among them and saying
heartily TO ard all. Good day broth
ers' And il was some time before the
more ceremonious senators recovered suffi-
Cient compoSure to make belated courteous
reply TO their sOvereign's hospitable greet
ing.
Still. the king can be a stickler for his
rights when he thinks that the country's
best interests will be served by standing
up for them. Some time after his corona
ton the representative OF an American
small arms firm travelled to Belgrade to
enter into negotiation with the govern
ment concerning proposed order for sew
eral million rounds OF ammunition. After a
few preliminary conferences with the off,
Gals the American was informed that the
matter would have to be placed before the
king himself for final decision. But when
he set about 10 arrange for the necessary
audience he was politely though firmly
told that as the United States government
had not seen fit to recognize the new Ser
Wan government the king regretted his in
ability to receive him. That was the end
of the Americans attempt to the king,
and, incidentally, he did not waste further
time in effort to land the ammunition
contract.
''King of Slavonia."
For years 1t has been the dream OF the
South Slavnnans that some day some time
those parts of the various Kingdoms in
which they now live and are In the as
cendant in everything. except political
power, will be welded into a free and in
dependent Slavonian kingdom. At present
the leading SlavOnians of Servia, Bulgaria.
ai1 nynA ,t,a-A lob
Ing to promote this dream by bringing the
different branches of the Slavonians in
touch at congresses and expeditions. An
exposition OF Slavonian art was held in
Belgrade about year ago. 1t was opened
by King Peter who took deep interest
In the various meetings and greatly slim
ulated the art movement by buying thou
sands of dollars worth of paintings and
statuary. nearly all of which he subse-
quently presented to various Servian inst-
tutions for their adjournment.
King Peter has always felt that the Sla-
vonians would be Infinitely better off united
as one nation than as they are now, scat
tered among many: but since his deep in
terest in the exposition of last year he Is
not only known throughout the Balkan re-
gion the King of the Serylans, but the
King of the Savonlans as well. He has
become sort of popular idol with south
Slavonlans everywhere; and 1t Is not to be
doubted that If the long-hoped-for South
Slayonian nation were TO develop from
dream into reality tomorrow. Peter
karageorgevich would be unanimously
chosen to rule over IL.
Kings Shrewd Counselor
While Servians generally concede that
their king is well able to guide the coun-
try's interest without, assistance the king
is by no means adverse to seeking or lis
tening to advice. 1t is known that besides
calling in leading Servians, he has
suited with his remarkable father-in-law.
the Prince OF Montenegro. several times
within the past two years and three
months. But the Servians do not take UNI
bragg at this; with the rest OF Europe.
they know that a wise head is yet on
Nikola's shoulders. and they feel that the
father-in-law would not endeavor to in
huence his Son-in-law to the disadvantage
of Seryia not only by reason of their close
relationship, but because the interests of
the two countries practically identical.
Prince Nikola's shrewdness is aptly IL
Illustrated in the diplomatic contest he car
rted on for nearly two years with the
pope to secure for his Catholic subjects
the right to use the old Slayonan language
In the service. Similar requests have been
denied rulers and othor branches OF the
church from time immemorial. But recent
ly the pope gave the permission persistent
| ly, though tactfully. sought by Nikoia, and
his victory Is all the more remarkable when
II is known that In all Montenegro. with a
populat ton of some 100000, probably not
over 1000 owe allegiance to the Catholic
Church, all the rest being orthodox Greek.
Royal Authors.
Since taking up affairs OF state King
Peter has found very little time in which
to indulge his passion for the classics and
the study of sociology On the latter sub
ject he has written several books, and in
some those who are familiar with these
works think that they see socialistic ten
denotes in places on the part of the author.
However that may be. he has displayed
no such leanings since coming into the
kngdom from which his ancestors were
hlessly driven. These books were writ.