Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-06-25
DRUG HABITS SUCCESSFULLY TREATED

ton by the twelve Emirs Of Arabia and
syria, has ruled over territory SIX
times the size of France.
In Paris King Alfred I. lives high
up in one of the modest apartment
houses crowded with artists and arti-
sans He enjoys hobnobbing With
painters and the many bohemians who
!nhabit these interesting quarters. AT
times he wearies of these apartments
end moves into one of the simple no.
tells so plentiful in Paris. His other
favorte pastimes are driving in the
parks and boulevards and visiting the
open air theaters and restaurants.
Though he appreciates goedlooking
women and has found many who pleas
ed his fancy, he seems to prefer the
easy, unconstrained life of the cell
bate.
To the coquettes and grisettes of his
quarter he is known as Monsieur Beau
eaire This title is apropes, for he
dresses in faultless taste and makes it
a point to follow and often launch the
styles in mems dress.
He is a stocky man, not much more
than five feet eight inches tall, but he
looks much taller because he stands
erect and is we'll proport.oned. Despite
his 60 years his friends have designated
him the young cavalry officer"
He is easily recognized by his sharp
eyes, his erect carriage and his COM
plexion, well Drowned by a life spent
under tropical suns. Though he has
the right to be called King of Syria and
Arabia, he is Indifferent about his
title. But he is proud of the button he
wears, an insignia of the Order OF the.
Medjidie bestowed on MIN by the late
Abdul Hamid. - -
Another distinction of which he. is
proud is his knowledge of languages.
He speaks more than dozen lam
guages fiuently. The story of how he
came into control of this wealth and
possessions runs about like this:
In 1874 returned from Armenia
had passed over the Bingol Dagh, tina
mountain of a thousand streams ana
! of territorial paradise, through
Mesopotamia. and hence to Merchei
on the River Euphrates. There | tell
in with a caravan of Persian mer-
chants. They were en- route for
Medina and Mecca, the holy cities.
Il supposed they would go by way
of Jerusalem, and proposed to join
| them. But no. They were going by
the Arabian Desert route. / was
amazed How did they propose to
cross the sands of the desert upon our
| route?
'Incredulous, | went with the mer-
chants caravan. They spoke the
| truth. but, like the Queen of Sheba.
/ behold the half was not yet told me.
| | saw "A country fertile, rich and raw
| ishing a land flowing with milk ana
honey That is why returned
thither with the desire to organize this
wondrous land for the glory of france
and the benefit of mankind. In 1873
the Emirs ruling the IL provinces
which composed Arabia desired TO
recognize me as their King.
IF | have taken the title 1t is not
for my own qualification. 1t is not
ostentation 1t is that l may be use
full to this country, in the interests on
France. but | have not sacrificed my
title as citizen of France"
King Alfred explains that he was
given his position and title because
these people could not find among
them a man VINO was able to rule all OF
them without rivalry and jealousy.
That he is more than King In name
| is shown by the fact he has parck-
ment signed by IL Emirs and dete-
gates from different parts OF the en-
pire.
He rules over 100000 men and wo-
men. who call themselves NaZarenes
or primitive Christians men who foi-
low the doctrines of Christ as they
we're understood and accepted 20OO
years ago.
That he is an able ruler is proved
| Nv the fact that when he was mace
King he induced French company 70
build a railroad which runs from Foft
said to Luwa on the Gulf of Oman. he
| is now negotiating with the company
for the wonderful petroleum lakes dis
covered by Prince Wrede
He has done much to reorganfze the
army and to improve the civic ana
hygienic conditions of his capital AZ
/ Eyoun.
| 1t is not known how rich man
this strange and unknown ruler realty
il. but certainly he is worth many
/; millions. For there are few riches
+: that are not found in Arabia. his
/. treasures include gold, silver, tur-
(; quoise, pearls, horses. cameis, sneep.
goats, fruits, wheat and zinc. be-
sides these possessions he Is given 2
large salary every year. which IL PAID
| in the wealth Of the country, SOV.0oV
sheep.-New York Tribune.