The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-01-13
SEEK FOR new RULER
Seryian PlotterS Debate Dep
OSition of King Peter.
DYNASTY IS NOT POPULAR
Prince Arthur of COnnauEht Is
Openly spoken Of us Probable Suc-
cessor to tho Present Sovereign.
No Attempt Made AT Secrecy In
the IntrigueS. at Belgrade.

Belgrade. Jan 12-Preparations are be-
ing completed in Seryia to compel the
early abdication of King Peter.
The Plot for his removal is openly dis
cussed in all circles. though the measures
to be adopted are known 10 only few.
There IS no longer question as 10
change of dynasty and the only issue
now Is the choice of a successor.
The leaders of the movement are pro-
eeediDg with caution, 10 ascertain the
attitude Of the army toward a coup d'etaL
4 census of the officers has been
secretly obtained-a course which had al
ready been taken last year-and it is
found that s. per cent of the officers are
anti-regicide. Last year the percentage
was 10
\ feature Of the situation is that the
anti-regicides are unanimously opposed
10 a continuance Of the present regime.
This has been brought about by the re-
luctance with which King Peter deprived
The murderers Of the late King and
Queen Of their authority and by the
severity with which officers have been
dealt with for anti-regicide propaganda.
JnsatiSfactqry Monarch.
1t is also now agreed by common con
sent that SeTvia can hope for nothing
from King Peter. He is without strength
Of character and totally united to sit
on the throne of Balkan state.
The government itself is hardly taken
into account by the conspirators. NJ
Pasitch, the premier. realizes the unccr-
ta.Ety Of his position, and maneuvers as
Tar As possible as a neutral
lie has no influence with the army, and
depends entirely or his majority. which
he is credited with holding together by
Tammany methods. When the conspira-
tors say the word, II. Pasitch and his
supporters Will disappear from Office.
The crowd of cx-milisters, too, what
ever their former political action, are
ready To unite in any measure TO bring
about tie overthrow of the government.
The ground having thus been prepared,
the leaders Of the movement are direct
ing their attention to the selection of Il
strong successor to the throne Among
the names mentioned none is so popular
as that of Prince Arthur of COnnaught.
1t is felt that II the country could be
placed under British influence an end
would be put TO the present intolerable
condition Of affairs.
There is a second and smaller party led
by n Velkovitch. who would welcome
Prince George William, the eldest son Of
the Duke Of Cumberland.
Views of "A Third Party.
\ third party advocates d return to the
ObrenovItch dynasty and favOrs the Sc
lection Of Prince AlirkO, the second son Of
Prince Nicholas Of Montenegro Prince
Mirko has, however only a small follow
ing, for Serb ruler Is not wanted. and
stranger Is bound 20 come.
While there thus appears 70 be a COR
siderable divergence Of opinion. all par
ties are agreed that a change must take
place. There has already been an ex-
change Of views between the representa-
tives of each party, and it has been made
clear that there viii be no difficulty in
arriving at an agreement if a prince who
has the backing of one Of the great
houses of Europe can be found to accept
the throne.