New-York tribune., 1920-10-26
Alexander Succumbs at
5:2O p. Nj. to Wound
Inflicted by Pet; Condi-
ton Hopeless at Noon
Paul, His Brother,
May Take Throne
Ruler Was % Years Old
and Assumed Crown
on Exile of Constantine

ATHENS, Oct. 25 (By The Associated
Press) king Alexander of Greece
died this evening at 5:20 o'clock His
death was caused by wounds which he
suffered in an attack on him by pet
monkey early in October, the King be-
ing badly mutilated.
Throughout last night his heart
action grew weaker his general debil-
lty became more pronounced and pull
monary symptoms were intense,
breathing at times being difficult and
alarming, and at noon to-day it was
announced that the Kings condition
was hopeless.
Dr. Georges Fernand Vidal, French
specialist, who was called in consulta-
ton in the illness of King Alexander,
said the monarch, had been the victim Of
plot to assasslnate him. He declared
that political enemies Of the King,
knowing his fondness for his pet
monkey, had deliberately noculatcd
the animal with the germs of hydro
phobia in the hope that it would be-
come violent and bite him, which it did
poisoned was later denied by the
Greek legation at Paris.
Prince Paul May Take Throne
Prince Paul, younger brother of
King Alexander, is expected to accede
to the throne Of Greece. Premier Ven
izelos said Saturday in Athens that
he believed that Prince Paul would
not be prevented from taking the
throne bX former King Constantine.
He added that no English or French
candidate was being cons dered
Constantine, who is in Lucerne, was
reported October II as planning to
take advantage of the vacancy by
claiming the throne. The Swiss au-
tnorities were reported taking meas
IRE to prevent his leaving Switzer-
land.
On the same day former King Con-
stantne replied as follows to a sugges-
ton that he assume the regency during
the serious illness of his son:
Sufficient unto the day is the evil
thereof. Will not think of a regency
yet. My plans are those of my people" :"
he signed the telegram "Constantine,
Rex"
Prince Arthur England's Choice
1t has been reported that Prince Ar
" Noi'la uSiI WAS tnc cHOlcc OF
England for the succession to Alexan-
der and that France would assent.
Prince Charles of Belgium also has
been mentioned
frlnce christopher, younger brother
OF former King Constantine and uncle
of Alexander, also was reported to
have gone to Rome, soliciting Italian
aid in obtaining the throne for HIM
self or his eldest son, George Chris:
topher was reported to be ready to 20
to Greece on receiving word Of Alex
ander's death. He is the husband of
the former Mrs. William B. Leeds. VIII.
was a rich American widow.
"The most democratic nation in F,u
rope has had varied experience with
its modern kings. After its inde-
pendcnce had been won at Missolonghi
and Navarino it took Otto of Bavaria
for King in 1892, compelled him after
eleven years of Autocracy to accept a
constitution in l843, and expelled him
in 1862. Then the Greeks wanted one
of Queen Nictoria's sons, but were
denied him because of British diplo-
matte relations, and did the next best
thing by taking George of Scheswig-
Holstein, son of the King Of Denmark
and brother of the prncesses who be-
came Queen Of England and Empires ss
of Russia.
Democratic King Slain
He was as democratic as the Greeks
themselves and rcigned in great pop
ularity until 1913, when he was as
sassinated. His son Constantine sue
ceedcd him. and since he was married
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