The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-06-18

SPECIAL 'OrrtspOHdSuCe 10 IHu SUNs
LONDON. June THE hardships un-
dergone by the Montenegrins In their
unequal struggle with the Austrians are
described by King Nicholas in an inter-
view granted to PAU dc Bochet and
published in the Daily Chronicle. As
an instance Of the situation Of the Mon
tenegrins- while still continuing the
struggle the King cites the defenders of
Mount I~.ovtchcn. overlooking the Gulf
OF Cattaro. who were under the hre OF
over 400 Austrian guns for I'VE days
without food.
The King Is established in a small
chateau at Merignac. IA little more than
three miles from Bordeaux. where the
villagers. in whom memories OF the
! France OF old are still much alive. are
intensely and a~dmiringiy curious re-
xarding this unfortunate King Of a far
of nation.
POSING for Portraits.
MY first interview the correspondent
says. was very simple and intimate.
Just at this time the King was posing
for two painters. both wearing decora-
tons and very solemn. But recalling a
conversation We had formerly had a!
Cettinje he cut the sitting short to re-
ceiye me. ! tound him sitting In his
tavorite position. his chest well out.
his knees apart. his fists on the arms or
a chair and a Russian sabre athwar
his thiSh. From the very opening words
our talk ran on the terrible events
which preceded his departure into exile.
He spoke slowly and In low tones. ex-
pressing himself in French with perfect
ease. but as u he were overwhelmed by
the visions that came back. one by one.
TO haunt him.
You were with us he aid to me.
and you saw in what distress We were.
At Lovtchen for FIVE days my soldiers
remained exposed to the fire OF over
400 guns without even "A crus. OF bread
to eat. Tnen the Austrian fleet came out
and ranged itself where I: could shell
US with impunity. what could we
do. abandoned thus to our " re-
sources? Yet we covered the re-
treat Of the two Serbian armies. and 10
feed them we gave UP to them all that
remained to us-the last potatoes. the
last cattle. For reWood We had to
burn our houses to the roof and the
very crosses from the cemeteries. You
remember those hne acacias Of mine at
Podgoritza? All. well. not one OF them
remains. .
Blames Weak Cabinet.
But the worst trial Of all for me
is that | must confess that I have on
occasion been misunderstood. even by my
friends. The truth IL. ! had a weak
Government. which did not second my
efforts well Rut these are matters that
I do not wish to raise now. For the
time being. there is only n Trims to
do: make ourselves strong. Later, We
shall ak
I'm every word one felt a deep sad
ness. and at the same time a deep and
tenacious love for his lost country and
it's people. The trial has aged him. I
found him more light eyed than formerly
and more highly colored. but his features
were drawn ana mad no longer The same
imperious assurance. In his rich Mon
tenegrin dress. all blue and gold braided.
he made a strang and grievous con-
trast in this framework OF delicate and
ancient elegance.
II saw him again three days later.
II was SATURDAY,. May s. ST. Georges
Day in the Orthodox calendar. the pa
tronymic feast day OF the Petrovitch
dynasty. Now. for the Serb his saints
day is the one great day OF the whole
wear. The finest lambs and sucking
pigs are toasted on splits before i'm
mense braziers in the open air: there
is laughing. dancing and singing. Raki
and sweets are handed round. The ar
rival OF a traveller or a poor man Is
hailed as a blessing. The very lead
are invited TO the feast. and flowers and