Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-09
IDOL OF THE SERv|ANS
King Peter is. Popular in His
New Home.
FOR SLAVONIC UNION
PROSPECTS OF HIS DYNASTY
AFTER TWO YEARS SWAY.
Stories of His Tribulations Mostly
Made in Austria" Whose
Schemes He frustrated.
Written for The Star.

Written for The Star.
\ little over two years ago Peter Kara
geo?gevich preteEder. was called to the
thronc of Serya. following the assassina-
tion Of King Alexander, the last of the
Obrenovich dynasty. and HIS queen Draga
What of him since then, and the country
which his valiant kiusman. Black George
liberated from the Turks?
According 10 brief cable dispatches which
Rupear In the newspapers from time to time.
IL is not very well with king or country.
Sometimes il Il limited that Peter is weary
al the throne, at others it is stated that he
Is In constant dread of assassination; ana
Yet again that the public and private al
fairs Of the little monarchy are III a highly
unsettled condition.
When these dispatches are read 1t should
lie noted tha, nearly every one Of them is
dated from Vienna. Now, Vienna is the
capital city of ia-Hungary. Austrian
Influence was exceedingly powerful In ser
Via up to the time of AleNanders Hlo-eht
taking OFF it largely controlled analrs OF
state: most of the banks were in Austrian
hands. and. in fact. al the arteries OF com
me-Ce and trade were dominated by Aus
TRANS or their allies, the Germans. All
well-lnformed Servians know that II was
fear that Austria would eventually rob Ser
via of its independence that led more or
less directly to the assassination or the
weak and pTnfigate Alexander and MS
queen who gave themselves over to Aus
trlau influence some months before their
end.
Checkmating Austria.
Since the coming of King Peter to the
throne Austrian influence in Servia has con-
stantly grown weaker until now it is prac-
tlcally nil. Peter himself has been the d.
rect cause OF this loss OF power Of the for
olgners. What more natural, then, that
they should seek partial revenge by send
ing out false report OF king and country
that have Spurned them and thWarteu lneiF
pet schemes?
While still an exile IN Switzerland. Peter
karageorgeyich noted the growing power
Of Austria in his native land with deep
f0rebOdiug. He felt that Austria was en-
deaVoring to strike at the root OF Servlah
freedom, and one of the first steps that he
took after ascending the throne, was 10
set about checkmating the dominance OF
the Austriaus.
To this end as soon as the excitement in
cidcnt to the assassination quieted down,
Peter began a series of conferences with
Seryian men of influence and capital as to
the best means to employ TO get the finances
and the commerce and the industries into
the hands of Servians again. He not only
called in subjects; he also went beyond his
Kingdoms boundaries and summoned Ser
Naus dwelling in other lands. such Bos-
Ma. Delmatia and CrOtia. As a result OF
these conferences and the decision of the
government to favor Servians wherever and
whenever possible. the Austrlans soon
woke to the fact that they were no longer
10 have things their own way. Naturally.
they made a stiT fight TO retain their
premacy. even going so far. 1t is said. as TO
threaten TO bring about a financial panic II
Peter and the government insisted on IA
Voring Servians. At any rate. this was the
rumor In Belgrade and beyond, and 1t had a
great deal to do with arOusing many Ser
Wan Of means to take part In the fight
against the foreigners.
Today the result Of King Peters determi-
nation to have the Servians controlling
things Servian Is that nearly all the banks
are In Servian hands so ere the monopoiies.
new railroads are being built exclusively
with Servian capital. and the export bust
Eess is largely in native hands. In add!-
ton the COuntrys credit II a satisfac-
tory basis for the first time In years. There
has been complete revolution, and that
the Austrians have given up all hope of re-
establishing themselves while Peter is on
the throne IL proved by the fact that for
every five Austrians that were in Belgrade
IN AleXanders time one only Is to be found
there now.
A Democratic Ruler.
This has won for the king the confidence
and loyalty Of every grade of Servian. Be-
sides, his exceedingly democratic tendencies
have insured him large place in the affec-
eJOns Of his subjects. AS people the Ser
Vlans. like all Slavonians. are true demo-
Gratis at heart. hating all pompous show,
though loving spectacles.
King Peter very rarely goes about with
even semblance of an escort, Austrian and
German reports TO the contrary notwith-
standing. He does not fear for his life. He
almost daily walks about unattended in the
streets OF his capital. He bows to all who
greet him. and frequently stops TO have a
Few words with those of his countrymen
who attract him strongly. On these walks
IL Is exceedingly easy for any one to chat
with him; all that stranger need do is to
approach the king and signify desire to
speak with him
The King Is particularly fond OF chatting
with any farmers whom he may meet on
his walks; he holds that IL Is the farmer
VINO gives Servia stability and will preserve
IL. A number of times within the last year
and a half he has quietly stolen out OF Bel
grade and gone into the country to roam
about among the peasants and look into
agricultural conditions. His questions asked
OF farmers are of this order: What is your
name? Where do you live?' How many
children have your What do you think
OF farming In your section?" As the lasy
question shows. he endeavors TO get the
opinions of his subjects on the matter. 5taf
are closest to their hearts and ~