Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-12
KING ALEXANDER HOLDS PLACE
IN HEARTS OF HIS PEOPLE
lugosIavian Monarch Is Tire
less Worker in Govern
ment Affairs.
Greatest Ambition Is to
Achieve Unity of Divergent
Forces in Country.
BY JAMES A. MILLS.
Associated Press STAFF Writer.


BELGRADE, August 1l,--Probably
no other King in the world has such
a grip on the affection of his country
and his people as young King Alexander
Of turbulent Jugoslavla. He Is not a
mere symbol. as SO many other Kings
are Not only is he in the closest bonds
with his people. but he directs the
cabinet, controls the army. formulates
the foreign policy Of Jugoslavia and
takes an active part in every question
affecting the welfare of the nation. He
Is everything except a dictator, a term
which he himself loathes.
Only 80 Alexander, who was once a
page in the Cars court at Petrograd,
is the most powerful figure in a country
which. since the World War. has in
creased its population from 100000 to
12,000,000 and its territory from $4,000
square miles to 96.l35 square miles. He
is the keystone around which the whole
political edifice of the kingdom is built
Tirciess Worker.
Like most men of achievement and
action. King Alexander is q tremendous
worker. He is on the go day and night
When most other monarchs are deep in
Slumber on their royal touches. this
%pAtAA1Al ol5E ItLEIibdLt IS btIHIIH TIE
midnight oil at his palace at Belgrade
His people determine whether he is at
the palace, not by means of the usual
at home flag of the King but by the
elaring electric lights in his study
which are seldom quenched. Il have
never known a man who works SO
hard" remarked Queen Marie to the
writer about her royal on-in-law.
AlcXander's greatest ambition and his
most absorbing preoccupation is to
achieve complete unity and harmony
among the diverse racial and clinical
elements composing the kingdom which
now is in the throes Of another politi-
cal fermcnt 1t Is to the King. As medi-
tator and arbitrator. that the Croats,
SloveneS Serbs Dalmatians. Moslems
and other diverse natiOnalities of ,Juco-
slavia come with their grievances. They
know the King is intensely fair and
honest and wishes to smooth out the
differences that have arisen through
the people of his country having had
to live for So years under different
foreign yokes
Race of Warriors.
King Alexander inherits his govern
ing instincts from a race of peasant
warriors. the hot-blooded Karageorge-
witches t'Black Georges who ruled
Serbia with an iron hand for hundred
years. Alexander spent the whole of his
young manhood in active service in the
army. Following his family's military
tradition, he has surrounded himself
with three brilliant generals, Gen Hadi-
itch. minister Of war; Gen. Pesitch,
chief Of staff Of the Jugoslav army and
Gen 2ivkovitch, commandment of the
Royal Guard. With this military tri-
umvirate. King Alexander runs Jugo-
slavia. The cabinet and various gov
eminent departments look after mere
ly routine affairs.
The King never goes TO bed before
30 In the morning He Is of nervous
temperament. and Is a poor sleeper
Often he sits up with his radio set until
the small hours OF the morning. try
ing TO pick up American or other dis
tant stations.
The King is intensely interested In
mechanics, science, medicine, archae-
oiogy, art, military lore and literature
Like King George Of England and King
Victor Emmanuel of Italy, he is a great
stamp and coin collector, having one
Of the finest sets in the world
The King day begins at T in the
morning, when he goes through the
newspapers, reads kilograms and an
swers correspondence From 10 O'Clock
onward, he receives his ministers. the
commandant Of the Belgrade GARRISON
The governor of the capital and army
and civilian leaders. At 30 the King
has luncheon, usually with the Queen
his two baby sons. court officials anc
sometimes invited guests.
Hearty Eater.
Like most Slavs, Alexander is a
hearty and fast eater He Is fond oil
Serbian national dishes. He eats