Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-10-28
ALEXANDER, KING
OF GREECE, DEAD
Succumbs TO Blood Poisoning
Caused by Monkeys Bite--27
Years Old--Once Engaged to
American Girl


this evening ut $50, His death was due
20 wounds which no had received In nm
attack on him by pet monkey early in
October, the King being badly mutiated
Throughout last night the heart action
grew weaker his general debility be-
came more pronounced and pulmonary
/ symptoms were intense. Breathing nc
times wus most difficult and alarming.
and ut noon to-day It was announced that
the Kings condition was hopeless.
Alexander succeeded TO the throne OF
Greece In June 1917 when his father, King
Constantine, abdicated In response to the
demand OF France, Great Britain and
Russia. the three powers which had guar
anteed the constitutional liberties Of tbs
Greek people. Alexander was the second
son of Constantine and at the tins u
his accession was not quite "a years old
His elder brother. Crown Prince George
was considered ineligible for the throne
because Of alleged pro-Gernen synlpa.
thies
In any event. King Constantin non!-
mated Alexander to succeed him Thu
fall Of Constantine had been brough,
about through the agency OF the French
senator, NJ. Jonnsrt. who went to Athens
In June, 1917. representative Of the
three great powers, on the ground tina.
this step would establish unity of feel
ing among the Greeks and greater secur-
lty for the entente forces then operating
in the East. Constantine had been
accused of pro-German sympathies parity
on account Of mis- marriage TO the Prin-
cess Sophie. sister Of the then Emperor
, William Of Germany, and it also was
! charged that he had not acted honorablv
toward the allies. Alexander, on tina
other hand was reported to be free from
Pro-Gerrnan proclvities.
Constantine left Athens and took up
his residence In Switzerland
SHOCKED ENTENTE POWERS
Alexander took the oath Of Office AT
Athens in August. 1917 and promised &c
carry out the policy OF his father. This
was said TO have shocked the entente
powers. IT soon was reported that hs
was at odds with Premier Venizelos anc
had refused to abandon his idea of con-
tlnuirg mis- fathers program. Some
doubts were raised as to the advisabuitY
Of permitting him to assume the throne
unless he discontinued what was charao-
teriaed as an obstructive policy.
Reports Of lacy Of harmony between
Alexander and Venizclos we're circulated
in the spring of 1870, but the premier dis-
posed Of these statements in which he
paid tribute to the Kings patriotism.
One respect in which the King and his
premier were said to have been at odds
was over the Kings morganatic marriage
10 Mile. Manos. daughter of q fOruncr
aide de.camp to- his father. which "a
said to have taken place in November.
1919. No record OF the marriage
obtsinable owing to the fact that it was
not recorded with The Metropolitan OF
Athens the supreme eccleciastic author
ity OF Greece
WE'D CHILDHOOD SWEETHEART
The young King and his morganetic
wife were childhood friends and sweet
hearts Alexander asserted that he had
a right 70 marry whomever ne pleased
and took his bride to the palace in
Athens This aroused storm OF dis
cusslon which so dispeased his wife that
Ia the early part of 1890 she went with
her mother and sister TO live in Paris and
Alexander visited her there in the follow
ing May II was announced that the
Greek constitution did not grant him per-
mission to enter upon the morganatic
marriage and that action by the Greek
Parliament would be necessary to deter
mine whether Mile. Manos could become
Queen of Greece or remain the Kings
official consort Alexander's Refused to
give up his wife was said 10 have greatly
worried Venizelos and there were reports
that the King would not return 10
Greece. He did So however. and wit
messed Greek operations in Thrace IN The
summer of 1920, entering Adrianople,
which had been surrendered to tho
Greek troops. amid great demonstra-
; ton.
RECEIVED WOUND OCTOBER
On October he was bitten by =.
monkey while endeavorinE to protect
his dog from an attack. His wound be
came infected and several operations
for the removal of flesh were per-
formed. His condition for several
days was reported to be critical
The monkeys attack on the King re-
calls n somewhat similar episode that
occurred in the spring of 1919, when
the youthful monarch was bitten by
dog which had been presented to him
by admiring member of the Scot
| fish Woman's Hospital at Salonlki The
correspondent OF The Associated Press
who visited the King at his palace in
Athens at that time found the King
wearing his right arm In sling.
Did you shoot the doG?" he was
asked.
No" replied the King. hes only
pup. and I decided to give him another
chance. He bit me only in a playful spr-
tt
! FOND OF AMERICAN GIRL
The King at time was reported
engaged to an American girl. Miss Jo-
sephine Kelly, OF st. Paul MINI. a stem
ographer employed by the Greek com
mission of the American Red Cross. In
deed, It is said that he actually an
nounced his engagement to her in cnr-
NTH the early part of 1919. Miss Kelly.
however who returned to this country
a few months later denied the report
and subsequently was married TO an
American soldier.
Miss Kelly frequently was invited 20
| receptions and tea parties at the palace
and danced occasionally with the King
who was particularly fond OF the society
Of American women.
King Alexander was tall of medium
build bond hair and light complexion
lie invariably wore a monoce. He had
many OF the features of his mother
Queen Sophia His education was gained
from private tutors and he had an ex-
cellent command OF English, His favorits
pastime was automobiling. He owned
several American cars which he used ~
drive through the streets of Athens nj
high speed. He was personally popular
among his people, but was not liked by
the followers of his deposed father, King
the older man tn the throne. He exer-
cised little power in the affairs OF his
! country all State and foreign matters
being handled by Premier Nenizeos and
his ministers.