Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-06

to Alexander and whispered something to
him. Immediately the boy stood up.
Gentlemen" said he, without preface,
''it is announced to all the garrisons in
Servia to all authorities to the people
and to you, that l declare myself of full
age and that l now take the government
OF the country in my own hands thank
you, my regents, for your services, of which
now relieve YOU l thank you also, gem
tlemen of the cabinet, for your services,
Of which you are relieved, too. You will
not be allowed to leave the palace tonight.
You are welcome to remain as my guests
but II not, then as my prisoners.
One OF the regents broke the amazed
silence with which this speech was received
by reproachng the king for not consulting
his tried friends and depending on thet:
personal loyalty TO him. Alexander con-
descended no reply.
Then the other regert burst into a rage
and after some hot words rushed away
from the table. The eide-de-camp stopped
him with drawn sword. opened the door
and showed him and all the guests a com
pany Of soldiers filling the adjoining room.
The soldiers had bayonets attached to their
riees.
Alexa nder. with a fine sense of theatrical
effect, waited Just long enough for his
guests to grasp the full significance Of the
situation, and then announced coldly that
he would leave them in charge of the aide
de-camp while he himself went to take the
oath OF fidelity from the army.
Thus this boy. whose reign was inces-
sanity besct with conspiracies and who was
butchered as the outcome of a conspiracy.
began by giving his subjects an object
lesson in conspiracy. His was completely
successful and unattended by bloodshed.
1t Is said that he had the assistance of
his tutor in perfecting the plan, but tho
execution of 1t devolved necessarily on
himself and his one conndant. the aide-de-
camp. The ministers remained in the pal
ace all night and when they were released
It was to ind that their offices were filled
with repre- sentatives of the party in whose
defeat they had rejoced during the carly
stages of the state banquet.
Like King Milan. Alexander had no
knowledge Of Matheas or the prophecies
until he had been some years on the throne.
Meantime he had fulfilled another OF the
prophecies by marrying the widow, Drag
Mashin, "a woman from the people" II
was when the final conspiracy had reached
the seui- public stage With which such
movements are conducted in Servia that
Alexander and Draga heard OF Matheas
and commanded veteran minister to tell
them the story OF 1865.
They were greatly disturbed by Il. Alex
ander was then In his 18th year, ana, ac-
cording TO the peasant. his end and that OF
his dynasty was at hand. So IL was in
reality, for Alexander was the last Of the
Obrenovitch family.
II is not probable that the prophecies in
huenced Alexsnders subsequent course
other than to add to the teTroTs Of himself
ana Draga, for the queen at least was n
pressed with the certainty OF speedy dis
aster; but there can be no question that
the regicides OF 1893 were at least stmu-
lated by them. A fatalstic submission "a
the DEGREES OF Matheas Of NremnA OBJ
sessed the minds Of conspirators as Il had
shriveled the courage and enterprise OF
Milan.
The conspiracy grew 10 comic opera
publicity. Plans were discussed without
coneealment in cafes. The names OF many
traitors were known In the palace. And
many said then. as they are saying now