QUEEN DRAGA.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 706, 30 December 1902, Page 2

QUEEN DRAGA.

A recent cable showed that Russia desired to make amends for a past relnill by a representative being sent to visit King Alexander and Queen Draga. A Sebastopol correspondent recently wrote : —As usual during the autumn residence of the Court at Livadia, there is a lepresentativ crowd of the St. Petersburg “ beau monde ”at Yalta. Out of the political. atmosphere of the metropolis there is less restraint in the discussion ol leading topics in these “ society circles.” One of the chief subjects of conversation during the past week lias been the rebuff put upon the Servian Royal pair by the refusal of the CzariUa to receive Queen Draga. There is undoubtedly very much sympathy felt for King Alexander, but little or no commiseration is wasted on his consort. As a matter of fact, however, King Alexander cannot be held altogether blameless for the prominence and publicity given to the action of the C/.arit/.a, whose refinement and Kindly and considerate feeling would nave restrained her Majesty from the course she took had there been any alternative solution of flic contretemps. So far back as nine months ago, when King Alexander first suggested that his Consort should accompany him to the Russian Court, it was privately made known to him that neither I lie Empress nor Hie Dowager-Empress would consent to receive Queen Draga, and it was added that that decision was irrevocable. There was nothing to prevent King Alexander coming to Livadia alone. Any conventional excuse would have sufficed to cover the absence of the Queen, and (lie regrettable incident would have been avoided. It is no secret that the tactless persistence of Queen Draga lias brought this rebuff on Hie peculiarly unfortunate Obrenovitcli. »SJie insisted, for personal reasons one can well understand, upon accompanying her Consort, and that put an end to the projected visit in a public manner most hurtful to the “ amour propre ”of King Alexander. Queen Draga's domestic supremacy is perfectly well known to Russian Court circles,, where the King of Servia is latterly spoken of as Queen Draga’s husband. Nevertheless, there is a genuine sincere sympathy felt in Russia for King Alexander, and there is no indiscretion in the statement that such sympathy is especially felt by the Imperial lady who felt herself compelled to cross the young monarch’s wish in this matter.