Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-27
PLAIN TALK
Caustic Comments in Parlia-
ment on Address From Throne
Special Cablegram to The Star.

Special Cablegrsm to The Star.
BELGRADE, November PA remark
able speech, giving a graphic picture of the
real condition of affairs in Servia during
the assassination of King Alexander and
Queen Draga, on June IL, 1903, was made
this week by Mr.. S. Nikolayevitch in the
Servian parliament 1t is significant that
only one paper, the Pravda, dared to re-
produce it in the main, and the govern
ment has made serious attempts to prevent
1t being circulated, not only throughout
Servia, but throughout continental Europe
and English-speaking countries as well.
Following is the speech of Mr. S. Nikolaye-
witch, just as he made it in the SsrVian
parliament:
Gentlemen: l propose to touch on three
points in the submitted address to the
king. which seemed TO me to be at variance
with truth. (Shouts of 'bewareD 1 am
here as deputy of the people, who have a
right to be heard within these walls. In
their name claim attention. If you refuse
to listen to me you are unjust to those who
sent me.
The first point to which I take exception
is the affirmation that In the army disc
pline and unanim.ty prevail. The second
is that our relations with foreign states are
correct, and the third is that since the 18th
of June GumulD, yes. since the 18th of
and public security.
Attempt to Stop Speech
That there is trouble in the army is
proved by both of the opposition addresses.
which demand that discipline should be re-
stored. Our army is in bad state Let
US not deceive ourselves. The evil is not to
be remedied by sterner discipline, as is
proposed, but by removing the canIler
All trouble arises from the fact that be-
side the small group of officers who have
stained their hands with the blood of their
sovereign and commanders to whom they
have sworn obedience (cries of you had
prepared the tragedy, there are thou
sands Of other officers who Judge differently
of the value of oath.
you can hinder my speech, but I warn
you that this question must be dealt with
and that Servia must be rid of her incubus
Gentlemen, in olden times nations did pub
lie penance to atone for similar crimes
and Servia must eXpatiate the deed of the
11th of June before she takes her former
place among the kingdoms of Europe Do
not, 1 implore you, treat this lightly I
that certain members are determined
to drown my voice How can / proceed in
this turmoil?'
At this point two ministers of the late
Pashitsh cabinet demanded that the presi-
dent procure a hearing for the speaker
who continued follows:
LAS / have already said, l will speak
more fully on another occasion on this
matter and will now leave the subject
with the final remark that I approached it
In the interest of the country and of our
children.
No Foreign Policy.
Touching the second point-our foreign
relations. 1t is an admitted fact that Ser
via never stood worse than now with all
European states. Since the 18th of June
we have had no foreign policy The pur-
chased Combinations in fourth-rate ionr
mails, which marked the beginning Of The
new era, have ceased, for even these ba,o
Balkans is steadily declining. Our rights
in Macedonia are ignored.
The third point turns on public security
There is not a public organ that does not
cry out against the shameful neglect uyt,ach
allows crime to flourish in our midst. Ey-
cry day brings a fresh. record of bripa nd
age in the provinces; while short time
ago in the middle of Belgrade hired hand
with impunity wrecked the Offices and ma
chinery of the opposition paper And they
pirate of constitutional government In
Servia there is longer security OF life
and property. Neither is there eouaiitv
before the law. We have now a privileged
class In uniform.
IF a sovereign, seeing the abuses Of
should not be blamed The country was
in a similar preddcament in 1894 (cries of
You want to do 1t again,) and the sus-
pension of the constitution was wise and
beneficial. The minister of foreign affairs
afiirms his ignorance of the true cause of
a great powers GOODNESS toward Servia
He may rest assured that our country will
never regain her position while crime goes
unpublished.