The Washington herald., 1907-07-28

gal, entered monastery, and was about
TO become a monk when Overtaken by
death a few months later.
To this day the abdication OF Prince
Alexander Of Bulgaria remains shrouded
In mystery. In August, 1856, the prince,
idolized by his people. whom he had led
few months previously 10 brilliant
victory in the war with Seryia, was sud
denly seized at night, in his palace at
Sofia, by conspirators, consisting Of Kus-
sian adventures and Bulgarian rene
gades, and was carried of into Russian
territory. where he was detained as a
captive for several days by the Musco-
vite authorities, until Car Alexander III
was led by the Indignation aroused
throughout all Europe by the outrage 10
give orders fOT his release, and for his
conduct 70 the Austrian frontier. Prince
Alexander returned to Sofia, but IN spite
Of the manifestations Of Joy, OF loyalty,
and affection by the Bulgarians Of every
class, he persisted in abdicating, with
drew TO Austria, and, after marrying an
actress, now Countess Hartenau, died
there six or seven years later as a gen.
eral on the active list OF Emperor Fran
els Joseph's army. Inasmuch as Alex
ander, after the kidnapping outrage, had
returned TO Sofia with the backing Of
every foreign power. save Russia. with
the sympathy and good Will OF all other
foreign nations, and in the enjoyment OF
the warm affection Of the Bulgarians
themselves, his abdication is inexplicable,
save on the ground that the late Gar,
his first cousin, once his devoted friend,
but afterward his bitteTest enemy, was IN
possession Of some secret affecting him.
and was thus able to bend him TO his
will by threatening 10 reveal 1t to the
world. Certainly the prince, who up 10
the time Of his kidnapping had presented
bold front 10 Russia, resisting all her
demands when they were contrary 10 the
interests Of Bulgaria, gave the impression,
after his return to Sofia, after the kid
mapping episode, Of being wholly in the
power Of the late Emperor Of Russia,
and OF being absolutely crushed thereby.
He was the brother 5f Admiral Prince
Louis OF Battenberg, who was here two
years ago, in command Of the English
cruiser squadron.
As for Milan Of Servia, all sorts Of sto-
Fies are current as to the causes Of his
abdication, In March, 1883. Fear Of assas-
sination, execration by his people, ire
spective OF political party, the disgust ex-
cited at home and abroad by the scandals
Of his public and private life. and the dis
eOYery by the late Car Of gross frauds
practieed upon him by Milan in connec-
tion with bogus mortgages and spurious
collateral furnished as security for large
loan from the Emperor's priyy purse, all
played a part in inducing him TO abdi-
cate. in the hope Of preserving the throne
for his only son, and Of being In that way
able to eventually recover possession
thereof. Milan's disTeputabs life after
his abdication is too well known 10 need
more than passing reference here. Per-
petually in financial straits at Paris,
owing TO his losses al cards. he was a.
ways on the lookout for loans. great and
small. many of which were furnished 10
him by chance American acquaintance,
and when these failed he would betake
himself TO SeTVia and decline 10 leave the
dominiOns Of his son until his departure
from Belgrade had been purchased by
means Of cold cash. Ultimately he was
eNiled from Servia by that very son 10
whom he had served as guide in the half
world at Paris, a role which excited the
disgust Of even the most hardened and
cynic boulevardier and died. alone and
abandoned, at Vienna, where he was buried
at the expense and through the bounty OF
Emperor Francis Joseph, his demise being
followed not long afterward by the shock
ing murder at Belgrade Of his son.
There is but one case in history Of the
abdication of a Pope, namely, Felix V,
and the Emperor OF Korea Is the only liV-
ing ex-mOnarch who can be said 10 have
abdicated, for the eX-Grand Duke Ferdi-
nand " of Tuscany. and Prince Robert
OF Bourbon, eX-sovereign Duke Of Parma,
were given no opportunity 90 abdicate in
1859. but were driven from their respec-
tive dominions by their subjects. who
thereupOn transferred their allegiance TO
the house Of Savoy, contributing in this
way to the formation Of the present king
dom Of United Italy. II is because they
did not abdicate that both OF these for
mer rulers continue TO regard themselves
as full-hedged sOverelgns, and their Tor
mer heges as rebels.
Whenever it is possible It is well to Sc
cure formal act OF abdication from the
sovereign who is abandoning his throne,
either voluntarily or by cOmpulsiOn For
having once renOunced. over his own sig
nature. his rights TO the scepter. he is pre-
cluded from putting forth pretensions for
its recovery. and a possible source Of mis-
chief is thus eliminated Moreover, rulers
of constitutional monarchies occupy
their thrones by virtue Of a contract with
the people, and when both parties to the
mt nseN L. -
ereign by abdieation, and the parliament
by the legislative acceptance thereof. the
agreement is at an end. and cannot ba
made the basis Of any further claim. The
consent Of parliament is indispensable 10
the validity OF the act Of abdicatiOn OF the
sovereign in the case OF constitutional
monarchies, and King Edward, for In
stance, no matter how much lie might de-
sire to divest himself of the heavy bur
dens of rulership Of the vast British en-
pire. could not do so without the consent
Of both Houses Of Parliament. Il IS pos
sibly this consideration that has led a
number Of monarchs TO abstain from put
ting into execution the projects OF abdica-
ton with which they were credited.
Then, too, there is a sense OF duty 10
ones country. ones people, and ones
dynasty, which acts as a deterrent to alb
dication. Otherwise it is probable that
We should find not one. but several names
on the list Of those who are tired of the
weight OF the crown and wearied Of the
throne. and that it would include King
Oscar Of Sweden, Nicholas OF Russia.
Charles Of ROumania, Francis Joseph OF
Austria, the Grand Duke of Baden, and
King George, who is reputed
on good authority to be heartily sick OF
Greece and Of the Greeks. and anxious,to
retire 10 the beautiful home which he has