Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-11-12
THREE KINGS IN
BALKANS LOOM UP
AS BIC F GU RES
Ferdinand, Peter and ConStan-
tine, With Their PremierSr
Assume Unusual Importance
in Present Crisis,
lA..ocInled rres. correspondence.l

Paris, oct 2S-Three kings, Ferdi-
nand of Bulgaria Peter of Scbia. and
Constantine of Greece, are looming
large ON the eastern horizon just now,
and hardly less important are their
three premiers who have been max
ing most of the moves i'm the new
game Of the Balkans
The three Balkan kings are almost
as well known here as in their own
capitals. They come here for their re-
taxation. They make frequent official
visits at which they are central fig
ures at grand levees at the quay
d Orsay, gala performances at the
grand opera. and military reviews at
NincenneS They used to come often,
also, on business, chiefly to buy the
latest pattern of French artillery the
famous 20" Besides these kingly
visits, each of these monarchs, incOg
nito, has had his days as Paris bou-
lavardier. and Peter I'm particular and
his royal brother Asene, are we'll ac-
.quaintcd with the paths Of Bohemia
leading through Montmarte and
the Latin quarter
on one Of King Ferdinand's visits
there was opportunity to view him at
close range. as he received in most
democratic fashion at a reception at
the foreign office He was in the cen
ter Of a group Of cabinet ministers,
and his military retinue in their brill
liant uniforms but the king himself
was in plain evening clothes, with the
wide red ribbon Of the Legion of
Honor across his breast. He is of
massive build, and quite looks the
part Of a king or ear His face is
genial and his yellow hair and Saxon
beard give him rather a German as
poet
Ferdinand Half German.
Some Of Ferdinand's German char
actcristics are receiving special atten-
ton since Bulgaria has ranged herself
with Germany While son of a Ger
man prince Of SaXe-CoburB Gotha,
land born at Vienna his mother was
the French princess Clementinc of or
leans This latter fact has given the
French special bitterness against Fer
dnand. 1t is also noted that he is an
officer ~ the Eleventh Austrian huz-
Ears and Of the Fourth Pussian in
fantry. though this probably has no
more significance than his wearing
During Ferdnands visit to Paris he
was enthusiastic In praise Of the
French troops drawn up 1900
strong at Vincennes After the review
he toasted France at a select dinner
of distinguished officials, and in the
midst Of his tribute paused and said:
"They say Ferdinand wears a
charm to preserve his life and hap
,,f, 20 fol | - N
charm. But / do wear something
more glorious and inspiring than any
charm-and here it is
And throwing open his coat he dis
played the cross of the Legion Of
Honor, around his neck and close to
his breast
In many other ways Ferdinand
gave evidence Of his French sympa-
thies. Ne even kept at the royal pal
ace at Sofia, In a small silver box a
bit Of French earth, as a tribute to
the soil where he so often visited and
loved He also had at the palace q
collection of rare French souvenirs
the cloak in which Louis XIV was con-
seerated king, one Of the dainty slip
pers dropped hy Marie Antoinctte
during her famous defense from the
mon ny Aiif 7ff lFn HAfAA ~ NV bitA' n
crystal cup from which Napoleon
drank to his victory at Austerlitz, and
other are objects
Kaiser Made Overtures.
As explaining Ferdinand's recent
tendency toward Germany, q story il
related by a diplomatist recently sta
toned here. According to this, En-
peror William, even before the Euro
pean war began. foresaw possible
eventualities in the Balkans. and per
sonally addressed himself To the
three kings Of Bulgaria Greece and
Rumauia His overture 10 each was
most tactful lie did not ask them
to range their countries on the side
Of Germany All he asked was the
promise from each that In the event
Of European conflict, they would
not make war AGAINST Germany. This
seemed fair 10 the three kings, and
( they are said to have given thelI
promise to 1t on the theory that II
did not commit them to war but tc
] keep out of war. But the kaiser is