The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-08-23

cause of the trouble-Servia--se
almost forgotten Yet it was from this
strange, little and most interesting
country that came the shot heard
round the world" when the death OF
| the archduke few weeks ago was
caused by Serb.
OF Servia's early history there IL
/ little known connectedly, for il i.
bound up in fragmentary manner
with that of the surrounding coun-
+ tries, But it is known that in ancient
days the land now known as Servia
was Roman province of Moesia Su-
There is a legend that three brothers,
Iscornlng the oppression of their Roman
! rulers, emigrated toward the great
/ country to the East The brothers
were called Russ. LEX and Tchek
The first settled in Southern Russia,
the second beyond, the Pruth. and the
last. Tchek. became the father OF
Bohemia. These races were Slavic
and mostly nomadic, wandering
around with their herds, seeking with
their three horsed wagons the cool of
the North In summer and the warmer
climate OF the South, in winter. liv-
Ing in tents and existing as a pastoral
people governed by chief of the
tribe.
These wanderers who settled In
Moesia were called Serfs or Serbs.
which word is said to mean GLORY.
They are the ancestors of the men who
today inhabit the beautiful valleys,
the picturesque mountains in that
most romantic country. which still
presents much the appearance OF the
middle ages.
For hundreds OF years the country
has been the scene of countless con-
- a
the Turks and at others the Chris
tians. Once a Bulgarian car ravaged
Servia. and reduced II to an almost
primitive condition of wild forest
This was about the ninth century
Then the Byzantine rulers aided the
land to rise from her condition, but
shortly themselves swallowed UP both
Bulgaria and Servia.
Perhaps the greatest warrior OF
Servia's history was the famous
Douchan, OF the fourteenth century,
whose prowess won series of tri-
umphs against the surrounding coun-
tries. including Turkey. Douchan.
who killed his own father. became the
first great ruler OF his country, which
now assumed an important place on
the map of Europe; but his house did
not last, for in spite OF his successful
wars and the number OF his con-
had placed heads. soon crumhled
apart from the Servian empire. Thes-
sally. Albania, Bosnia, Hungary and
Bulgaria shook themselves free
Then followed a long period of sub
tugation to Turkey. again return to
rule under Christian. but alien des-
pots then in 1921 the Turks obtained
control But their rule was not cruel.
for when Servia was attacked by the
la n iSga RIGS thu. nj
the Turks defended her These Janis
saries, in 1904 were guilty of gen
eral massacre of the Servians, but
fortunately, few succeeded In escap-
ing to the mountains. among them a
man who became famous as Kara
George
Kara George started In life as
peasant in the forests OF Shumadia
and when the Janissar!es came to
murder him he formed n patriotic
army. but. like Douchan. was the
murderer of his aged father, whom
he slew because his parent refused
to cross the river Save. He hung his
brother and almost killed his mother.
but little incidents like those do not
seem unpleasant according 10 the
Servian aspect OF life George was
helped by the Turks TO conquer the
Janissaries. but on the completion OF
that task he turned his arms against
the Moslem, and with a. few thousand
rnountaineers faced the whole Otto
man empire.
In October, 1903 the sultan coded
self government to Servia. but later,
In 1919. Kara George fled the country
when II was attacked again by the
Turk. In this emergency another
peasant rose, young Milosh Obrenovic.
who had spent his childhood herding
pigs Pretending to favor the Turk,
Milosh went from town TO town really
Arranging for an insurrection. and In
1915 he raised the flag OF freedom.
Soon he was at the head OF a large
army and ousted the Turk, then ruled
in the midst OF turmoil until he was
forced to abdicate In ls42 Alexan-
der Karageorgevic son OF Kara
George, was elected prince Blu, in
1855 he also was forced TO abdicate,
and Milosh was recalled.
AAlosh died in 1860 and his son.
Michael. assembled the throne, only to
be murdered in 1868, and succeeded
by a relative Prince Milan. This man.
who now became King Milan. was the
father of Alexander, who. with his
queen, Draga, WAS assassinated only
present King Peter. who is OF the
Kara Georgevic family. came to the
throne which he now holds.
But a most remarkable fact in the
history of Servia, and one of great
interest now, is the. wonderful proph-
ecy, known as the black prophecy"
which was made some years ago, and
has been and is now being rapidly
fulfilled.
In the State archives OF Servia to-
day reposes a paper which is perhaps
the most unique in Europe. for 1t Is
the utterances OF peasant who lived
in the village OF kremna in 1858
This old man, whose name was Mata.
came to the town of Ultra one after
noon in June. 1868, and taking up a
position in the center of the main
street began to call out at the top
of his voice: ooh, men! Oh, broth
ers. Help Help. They are killing
our ruler, They are killing our
prince. Our Prince Michael is muir
dered!"
vast crowd gathered about the
man, who was arrested for disturbing
the peace and obstructing the street.
but the very next day there came a
telegram from Belgrade. stating that
Prince Michael Obrenovic had been
murdered in a park near the city.
Thinking the man must be one OF
the conspirators, the police questioned
him. but found he only told what he
had 1eon in a vision. Then he was