South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-01-25
KING NICHOLAS
ASKS FREEDOM
FOR COUNTRY
Aged Monarch Declares Ser
bla is Trying FOTCibIy to
Annex Territory From
Montenegro.
WILLIAM PHILIP sI,IMs.

By United Press
PARIS, Jan. 25.-King Nicholas.
the aged ruler of Montenegro. be-
lieves his little nation should enjoy
the same right of self determination
as larger countries He expressed
confidence today that the peace con-
gress will enforce the application of
this principle.
In an interview with the United
Press, Nicholas declared that Ser
bia is attempting forcibly to annex
Montenegro. rather than join with
her in formation or a new Jugo-
Slav state. This alleged attitude Of
Serbia is believed to have consti-
tuted one Of the elements which re-
suited in the warning issued yester-
day by the supreme war council
that claims 10 territory seized by
arms will receive no recognition
from the peace congress
Watches Peace Congress
Nicholas, who is living i'm the Ho-
tel Rue de Rivoli. is watching the
work of the peace conference close
iy TO determine whether he is to be
a king without a kingdom. or the
declared he is an enthusiastic sup
porter OF Pres't wilson's policies and
that he is willing 20 abide by the
Wilscuian test. as applied 10 Mon
tenegro, even IL IL means the loss Of
his crown
The Serbian army occupied Mon
tenegro Immediately following the
signing OF the armistice. after the
Montenegrins had driven the Aus
trians out OF the country" said King
Nicholas.
Try Annexation.
The Serbian government then
hastily attempted to annex our land
by force. The Serbian regent prince
Alexander) did not hesitate TO as
sumo the Montenegrin crown which
J wore and still wear legally after
q reign OF nearly so years. He wish
ed to 20 before the peace conference
with the union" Of Serbia and Mon
teregrO as an established fact. ex-
planning TO the delegates that this
was the viii OF the Montenegrin peo-
pie. The Montenegrins rose in arms
10 defend their rights They. like
the other Jugo-Slavs, wished to he
come part OF confederation model
led on the United States. where
many OF our soldiers lived for many
years They wish to see Pres't Will
sons principles applied 10 organiza-
tion Of the Jugo-Slavs- that is. that
the people should decide their own
fate.
Tr5 to Bribc Folks.
Il ann absolutely in accord with
my people but Serbia insists that
eny move by the Jugo-Slav people
should receive sanction OF the prince
regent of Serbia. ProdtinE by the
extreme misery of my people. who
have lived under war conditions
since 1912. the Serbians have at
tempted TO win the Monte1egrins by
distribution or silver and food. these
Coing only 10 those who did not op-
pose Serbian activity. But this game
was unsuccessful Bloody fighting
has taken place between the Mon
tenegrins and the Serbians and Is
still going on.
"Tn order 10 stop this war my
Office has sent message TO the
AIontenegrins. begging them not TO
spill further blood am confident Of
their fate. now that the allies have
again given me a guarantee that the
rights OF our people will be respect
ed. I am persuaded that the allies
want fair play not only for the Jugo-
sslavs OF Austria and Hungary. but
COR Montenegro and Serbia. too.
am perfectly confident your great
president viii not fail us now. for
Montenegro offers a present example
or the principle OF self-determina-
tion. / repeat that II my people are
given a fair chance 20 express their
wishes. I am perfectly willing 10
q bide BY their decision"