New-York tribune., 1921-11-27


\ the Balksns--which, despite the
~ changed territorial and politi-
cal status, by virtue Of the new
European peace, arc still in state OF
effervescence--are beginning to come
to light here.
Was young King Alexander of
Serbia (JugoSlavia) actually i'll in
Paris, so i'll, in fact, that he could not
return to Belgrade Tor tho funeral of
King Peter, his father? Was it true
that Premier Paschitch Of Jugo-Slavia
came to Paris recently to tear the
young monarch from the arms OF q
beautiful French girl, for whom the
youthful royal person was ready to
"scrap" the throne? These queries
have run the gamut without answer
for many weeks in the French capital.
The Serbian authorities answered sus-
picions that young Alexander was not
i'll at all by sending to Belgrade for
specialists, who signed bi-daily bulle-
tins on the Kings condition and ten-
perature. These same authorities de-
MED the girl story without qualifca-
tion. But Paris accepted no "official
dcnials."
Now comes we'll known Serbian
diplomat to Paris, who says that there
was no royal illness and no girl TO
keep Alexander away from Belgrade,
but something infinitely more serious.
King Alexander remained away from
Belgrade to preserve his mortal life.
It was In direct agreement with Bel
grade that Alexander allowed himself
to be reported i'll in Paris, says the
diplomat, because Alcxander--the most
shot~at King in Europe to-day-would
have been assassinated without doubt
had he shown himself in the Jugo-
Slavian capital. When Premier Pasch-
itch came to France a fortnight ago
he reported to Alexander that condl-
tions were more favorable for his re-
turn, and Alexander, whose personal
bravery cannot be questioned, agreed
to appear in his country and pe
crowned King Of the new royal domain
Of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes.
Just how intrepid young Alexander Is,
making the Journey even at this time,
will servo to excuse his alleged pseudo
illness In Paris, when tho facts, which
promuted his absence from his country
after King Peters death, are known.
Russian Countess Naraskine
Tho report that woman was keep
ing Alexander away from tbs throne
seems to have been based on the
presence in Paris Of the Russian
Countess Naraskinc, whom he had met
at court at Salonica in 1917. That
affair had long since been dissipated.
The facts are, according to diplo-
matte information, that the Prince
Regent, as he was before King Peters
death, was inundated with communi-
cations from the Communist tribe and
| from other radical clements in Bel
grade, warning him that his presence
ON Serbian soil would be his death.
After the death Of his father these
threats were renewed. Having barely
missed the assassin's pistol on several
occasions before, Alexander was con-
vinced that for the benefit of his
newly born nation prudence was the
better part Of vaIor. His advisers lIn
plored him to remain In France at all
costs. But an excuse had to be found
for the enforced absence Of the new
King to pacify subjects who could not
or would not understand. European
newspapers printed bulletins, sup
posedly from the Kings bedside, for
several weeks.
The otherwise very secret character
Of his illness, however, and the in
ability of the press to sec Alexander,
caused whisperings that he was not i'll
| at all. This in turn resurrccted the
story of forgotten love affair with q
Russian countess. Now, with Alexander
back again in Belgrade, the mysterious
case explains itself.
The "Reds" threatening Alexander
were Bolsheyik agents, who had slipped
into Serbia last year with the Czarists
who had escaped from Russia with
Wrangel's army. These agents found
fertile field to work in, for the
groundwork of revolution had been
prepared by the famous Serbian Black
Hand.
Threats from this gentry are not
lightly passed up in the turbulent
Balkans. When Alexander was told
that he would die within an hour after
crossing the Serbian border he at least
recalled the series Of royal assassina-
tions which have figured in the recent
history Of Serbia. He thought Of the
sudden murder at Belgrade Of the for
mer. King and Queen Obrenoyitch in
1903, OF the bombing Of Archduke
Ferdinand in 1914 at Serajevo, which
incident was the start of the World
War; of the three attempts that had
been made on his own life in 1917, 1919
and 1920.
His father, King Peter, had been so
threatened by some of his subjects that
he turned the crown over to his second
son, Alexander, in 1916. At least, he
wanted to save his own head for few