BALKAN CRISIS

Hokitika Guardian, 9 January 1929, Page 5

BALKAN CRISIS

ABSOLUTE MONARCH Y. \ . UNPOPULAR. WITH SERES. .-<1 . < (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON, Jan. 7. “The Tiinos’s” correspondent at ■Belgrade describes Alexander as the most absolute of all moiiarchs. By virtue of a decree announcing the new regime, he assumes complete and sole authority over every department: oJ state. He makes laws. nominußs officials and military officers, and coinmauds all.the armed forces and is re--J sponsible for foreign affairs. He de- ' dares war, peace and amnesties. Criminals can be released before trial. Il.e fixes the amount of his own civil list. His person is inviolate and he cannot be accused or held responsible tor any act. He appoints ministers who are responsible to him directly and cannot even plead that he instructed them. The King nominates judges for the special court for trial of ministers, and also nominates regents in the event of his dying before the heir attains eighteen.

It can he said forthwith that the idea of an autocracy is unpopular in Seibia. The Merits are temperamentally democratic. Their history shows that since the Turkish yoke was thrown off, tin re lias been a lone /struggle by the .people against riders '*Hhir supremacy. Their most unhapp,. memories are of the earlier coups d otnt. Will there he less exasperation to-day because Parliament has brought the country to such a puss' Serbiauwerc dm-oiiteiited with the inefficient administration, and also with the political leaders’ failure to come to terms with the Croats. There was a widespread conviction that drastic events were imminent. The King only forestalled them. The Hapslmrg provinces will lie less disposed to question the King’s dictatorship, because they arc accustomed to autocratic rule. The Croats will rejoice because they are relieved of the hated constitution which was the root jjrbf all their troubles. CHANGE TO AUTOCRACY. COMPLETE CALM PREVAILS. (Received this day at 8.30. a.in.) LONDON, January 8. 'Hie “Daily Chronicle” says it is not fair to represent the change in Jugo-Slavia as a change from parliamentary government to autocracy. Parliamentary government in Belgrade since the war has broken down. There have been twenty-five ministries in ten years. The new State was threatened with disintegration and even civil war. Belgrade telegrams state that a complete calm now reigns everywhere w in Jugo-Slavia, and it is hoped the long period of instability is ended, but ' as a censorship has been established. i ( is difficult fully to ascertain the real .feeling mi' the country. While Croatia welcomes King Alexamlei s

action in suspending tlu> lulled const, lution of 1S)2I, tin* country does not expect the King to I'ullil all the fundamental demands of the Croatian autonomists. Three Creation members of the Cabinet, however, enjoy tin* confidence of Croat loaders at Zagreb.