SERBIAN AFFAIRS

Hokitika Guardian, 8 January 1929, Page 5

SERBIAN AFFAIRS

KING ABSOLUTE DICTATOR. (United Press Association.— By Electri Telegraph.—Copyright.) BELGRADE, Jan. (J. General Zivocoviteh has been appointed Premier. Political circles prophesy a short life for the Cabinet, which can be regarded as a military one. A law promulgating Royal powers indicates that the King is absolute dictator. PREMIER MEMBER OF SECRET SOCIETY. LONDON, Jan. 0. The Times’ Belgrade corrcspundeiil reports that because it was Christmas Eve. according to the orotliodux calendar, newspapers closed for the holidays. therefore news of the coup de tat was published solely by placards hurriedly posted up during the night. Zivcovitch. who is connected with the secret society which assassinated King Alexander and Queen Draga tn 1903 is the most outstanding member of the Royal household. Ho lias a distinguished war record,’and is commander of a crack corps of the guards division. The Cabinet consists of influential |HM\sonugcs, knowfi as “the King’s friends,” who will apply military standards ruthlessly with efficiency and expedience. They favour arbitrary measures. Supplemented by selected specialists, it is a competent cabinet. Retention of Marinkivitcli guarantees that the conduct of foreign affairs remains unbroken. The Government’s policy will be Yugoslav, and opposed to all the rivalries between the different branches of the nation. A BLOODLESS REVOLUTION. BELGRADE, Jan. 7. Nothing less than a bloodless revolution has taken place. The King has assumed semi-dictatorial powers, and will rule by means of decrees and proclamations The Mayors will remain in office, but will administer only as special nominees of the Crown. It is pointed out that the Crown lias taken into consideration all three sections of the country—Serbs, Croats, and Slovennes—as dictators. The Cabinet includes three Croat ions, six Serb' Nationalists, two Democrats, and a Slovene Clerical. The appointment of Marinkoviteh to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs suggests that there will no radical change in foreign policy. r J here was great popular enthusiasm in Zagreb streets, which were thronged with demonstrators shouting: “Long Live Alexander. U last we have equality with the Serbs.”