The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-10
SERv|AN PEOPLE
FEAR CONSP Tracy
Officers of Army Reported in
Plot to Dethrone King
Peter
BY KARL II. Won wIEGASD.

Especial Gable to The Tires DISPATCH
belgrade, ServIa, March SIS the
bloody drama OF 1893 about 10 be re-
peated in Belgrade? This Is IA question
that all Europe, including Servian pco-
pie themselves. arc asking. For weeks
reports have emanatcd from Belgrade
that conspiracy has been formed
among the officers OF the army, having
for its purpose the dethroncment OF
King Peter. II necessary, by us vioIen,
means as those OF tho terrible nigh,
nine years ago when King Alexander
and Queen Draga were so brutally muir
dered in the palace,
King Peter lie paying for whateve.
guilty knowledge ne may have had of
the re6icidc plot with uneasy days and
sleepless nights. Now in his sixty
eigntn year. ne Is wondering II il was
worth Whiie alter all TO traue his pcacc
OF mind as private citizen in Swlt2er
lana Tor the bloody crown of seryia.
Through the palace sull stalks the
restless ghost OF Alexander, ana In the
kings ears must sun resound the ecno
OF the shrieks of the Drlga
AT the Foreign once pnd In the ,Vnr
Ministry all knowledge OF plols and
conspiracies are denied. Of course III
Is nothing but sensational newspaper
lies" declared one Official, VINO was
most anxious to leave Tho IMPRESSION,
that the best relations EXISTED between
Peter and the army and Icter and mis-
, people. But talk in the cafes con-
verse with officers 10 wnom you have
been vouohed for or ask any reprcscn-
talivo of the common Scrviaus the
working people, and one nnds little
| praise Tor Peter.
'Servia wants TO become a republic
] said one army officer. The army and
J the people are tired OF the dynasty"
! That the powers would hardly at this
time permit the formation OF a rcpub-
! lie seems too self-evident for serious
consideration. and il is surmised that
! the talk of republic" is solely for
I the purpose Of arousing the people to
/ the support of such measures as the
/ alleged conspirators may be planning.
| The situation in Belgrade is no, I'M
! like that which existed in 1909 Just
before the killing of Alexander and
Draga by men in the army and in tho
court. who never have been punished,
some of them even having received
splendid promotions anG rewards
! King Peter and the government are
| virtually powcrlcss ana Ia the hands
! of an army Clique whicn they dare not
oppose Very strongly In every trial
! Of strength Peter mas come off second
best and has been forced to give in
through fear Of ,leth ouemcnt and nos
sibly murder. Two secret orgunizn
lions, one under tho notorious name OF
the BLACK Hand and the other uuder
the hiSh sounding title of Union or
Death" are said to include the major
itY of the army officers high ind low,
in the principal garrisons. The Ministe
Of War is said to be friendly to them.
Recently King Peter appointed Crown
Prince Alexander, who has only til.
rank Of colonel in the Sixth Infantry
Regiment. and but twenty four years
old, Inspector general OF tho army.
/ Alexander took an energetic stund
against the halfmutiRous and negli
! gent officers belonging TO The BLACK
Hand" During the inspections somo
Of the officers were SO plainly hostile
! 10 the crown prince thai he roporto ,l
/ the matter 10 his father. The King
ordered the Minister OF War TO punish
the officers. The War Minister. in
stead. asked the EinR to remove his son
las inspector-general because or his
| youth and the hostile attltudn OF t..
officers" Alexander gave up the post.
and has gone TO Switzerland aud Italy
i for n, vacation" t
Next the King ordered an invcstiEu-
ton of tho BLACK Hand" organiza-
| ton. Sentences OF death were i'm :
mediately passed BIS the organization
| upon the investigation, with the result
! that the probe was called off ResiE-
| nation OF tho entire Cabinet, which