SERVIAN AFFAIRS.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 922, 22 June 1903, Page 2

SERVIAN AFFAIRS.

BLESSINGS ON KING PETER.

By Telegraph—Press AssociationCopyright.

GENEVA, June 19. A Russian priest blessed King Peter at a Te Deuiu service held here. ST. PETERSBURG, June 19. The Russian Court has gone into mourning for King Alexander and Queen Draga, for a period of twentyfour days,

BELGRADE, June 19. The Servians accepted King Peter with surprising unanimity. Even tlie residents of Nish acquiesced.

TREATMENT OF THE ASSASSINS.

RUSSIA’S DOUBLE DEALING

By Telegraph—Press AssociationCopyright.) Received 4.55 p.m., June 21.

LONDON, June 20. Replying to Mr Newton, Lord Lansdowne expressed the Government’s undiminished abhorrence of

the Belgrade outrage. No proposal had been made to Britain for concerted action to secure punitive measures, nor could we usefully convey such a proposal to the other Powers ; hut regarding diplomatic relations nothing was further from our thoughts than to maintain ordinary relations with persons concerned in those events. Air Bonham has been instructed by telegram on t lie 15th to limit intercourse with the authorities to what was necessary to enable him to report on events, hut to do nothing suggesting official recognition ot the provisional Government, whose freedom from

complicity had not yet been established, or recognition of any authority set up in succession to the dynasty. France, Germany, and Italy were maintaining an attitude similar to ours. Austria aud Russia were prepared to recognise the new regime. Russia had made it clear that it expects proper punishment to he indicted. Our conclusion is that it is not desirable for Air Bonham to he in Belgrade for the inauguration of the new reign, lie had been instructed to leave for a time.

Air Spencer Rutland expressed satisfaction at the Alinistcr’s statement.

Received 5.22 p.m., June 21 ST. PETERSBURG, June

Russian newspapers are emphasising the Imperial Government’s communique. The Official Messenger declares that the purport agrees with the Emperor of Austria’s censure,i anti cxprefiscß a hope Ufitl. uji<ier Russian and Austrian pressure, the other Powers concurring, Peter will take steps to punish the murderers, lie will he assured of the sympathy of the civilised world. VIENNA, June 20.

Russia’s demand for punishment is regarded at Vienna as a clever move to gain a foothold in Servia. A Servian official, interviewed at Vienna, says that with the view of staving off demands, Peter will ho

compelled to grant Russia mauy concessions. Russia’s conditions may soon make Peter as unpopular as Alexander.

The Emperor of Austria’s censure has not been published. The statement in regard to it is only a translation of a teleam appearing at Belgrade, where all foreign newspapers were seized and their comments blocked.

BELGRADE, June 21

It is officially announced at Beli grade that the Russian Minister has been instructed to enter into relations with the Servian Government.