The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1914-10-10
QUEER SPRIGS OF GENTILITY

Prince Alexander of Servia is not, as many sup
pose, King Peters eldest son. The latter Is
Prince George, and was known as the crown
prince until his wild escapades compeLeo even
the induIgent King Peter to deprive him OF all
rights to succession, and Danish him to an In
accessible part of the kingdom. His do1ngs Doth
before and since would fill a book. French
tutor, returned to Paris after two months at the
Konak, tells many queer tales of his pupils deeds
One morning they were busy at a Latin lesson
when across the room Quick as
flash Prince George had it by the tail The next
instant he dashing off with it to the sentinel
at the palace gate, and holding it up to the fright
ened mans face, insisted his biting on its
head. Upon the others refusal he threatened vio-
lence and would certainly have proved a good as
his word had not the king arrived in the court
yard at that moment from his morning ride
Not thai King Peter ever had much authority
his eldest SON Servian statesmen have
never forgotten the painful scene between father
and at which they were once obliged to as
sist. At a special meeting of the cabinet the
then crown prince entered unlimited. King Peter
promptly requested him to withdraw. Taking
seat, his highness refused, saying: Il am the
future king and have a right to be here. I must
know what happens and so shall take part in the
council" Once more King Peter ordered him
away, but the other stoutly refused and a
heated alteration ensued during which the min
listers melted away, leaving the king and his hot
headed to settle their difference alone On
another occasion the prince was present at a
birthday dinner given in honor of the car at the
RUSSIAN ministry AFTER IOaStS mad been proposed
to Emperor Nicholas and King Peter, Crown
Prince George and drank to the union of
Bosnia, Herzegovina and Servia The icy vel
come that greeted these words was such that his
highness had Immediately to leave the banquet
This and other escapades caused such a revo
luton of public opinion that Prince George was
finally compelled to renounce his rights of sue
cessiOn in favor of his younger brother and GER
tainly the country has benefited by the change
Prince Alexander is a decidedly different type
from the other. little tot of three when his
mother died. he and his baby sister today the
wife Of Grand Duke John Constantinovitch of
Russia, were at once taken on to st. Petersburg
to be brought up by their aunt, Grand Duchess
Peter. There he received a sound education and
was for time one of the czarina's pages He
would probably have entered the Russian army
had not the dreadful events of 1903 completely
changed his plans. As soon as King Peter was
settled on the throne his three children were sum-
moned to Belgrade At the palace however he
continued his studies. Two officers were engaged
TO give him private lessons on law and military
science. Servian, Russian and French he speaks
perfectly, and lately he working hard to
brush up his German Though the crown princes
apartments at the palace are very plainly fur
nished there is a wealth Of bookcases He is a
great reader, and is familiar with the PRINCIPAL 1T
erary works Of four countries.