Servia.

Manawatu Herald, 16 June 1903, Page 2

Servia.

FURTHER DETAILS,

The army has been hostile since the King’s coup d’etat. The plot had been ripening for Weeks, and was accelerated lest the new Skuptohina elected last week should give the Premier a great majority to settle the succession to the throne in favour of Captain Lungyeviteza, Queen Draga’s brother. The disaffected Sixth Regiment of Infantry, which was garrisoning Belgrade, surrounded the palace at midnight on Wednesday and overpowered the guard, killing a hundred, including the Commander. Colonel Naumovica, Alexander’s adjutant, by means of a bomb, burst open the royal bedroom, and entered accompanied by Colonels Mischeta and Machin and some junior officers. Colonel Naumovics presented the King with a form of abdication, directing him to sign it, because in marrying a woman of ill-repute he had degraded the country. Alexander at this cried, “Traitor ” and instantly shot Naurnovics dead, but Mischets again presented the document. The royalties, in their night attire, then fled to the roof of the palace, where they were killed. Queen Draga’s two brothers were killed in the palace. General Nikolich, with eight infantry, tried to come to the King’s aid, but encountered a strong force under Gagovitch. The latter was killed and Mkolich was severely wounded. Pretending to have an urgent message, the soldiers gainer] access to the Premier, General Pavlovitch, the Minister for War, fled to the barracks, where twenty-five shots were fired, killing him. M, Todorvics, Minister of the Interior, was murdered in his own house. The official explanation published at Belgrade is that softer, dinner the King suddenly directed Queen Draga to leave the country. She refused to do so, and the King ordered the military to occupy the palace. The Queen’s friends thereupon rallied, and in the fight which ensued the royalties were killed. Other accounts state that when Colonel Naurnovics was shot Queen Draga appealed to Colonel Nischets, who replied, “ Let the King abdicate, and free Servia from your miserable presence.” Then Machin, having just murdered Captain Lungyevitza, the Queen’s brother, after an heroic resistance against heavy odd entered the bedroom. The King then told the Queen to

fly. Both were overtaken. on the roof. The King bravely faced his assailants, and tried to protect the Queen. Major Lazarovitoh, a disgraced officer, shot him in the face. He then fell, but tried to rise and speak. A second shot was fired, and proved fatal. Simultaneously, soldiers shot Queen Draga, who, falling on her husband’s body, then received a boyonet wound in the neck. The bodies were rolled in sheets 1 lowered to the courtyard, and placed in a waggon until removed to the . Royal Ohapal. Toborovics’a daughter was murdered while shielding her father. The murder of the Queen’s sister is not confirmed. Prince Peter Karageorgevitch declares that he did not participate in the plot which he regards as a detestable crime. The Skuptchina has been summoned. The one which the King dismissed in March is expected to endorse . Peter Karageorgevitch’s election or appoint his son George, now being educated at the Russian Court. Radical Servian newspapers declare that the chief causes of the conspiracy were the recent scandalous elections, the King’s uncoUrteous treasment of officers, the intention to remove the War School to Shabtza, and the selection of Queen Draga’s brother as heir-apparent ATTITUDE OP THE ARMY. Though the coup was executed by a few officers and the two detachments of troops, the rest of the army quietly acquiesced. AUSTRIA AND THE PREIENDER. It is stated that Austria is favourable to Peter Karageorgevitch’s succession if her interests are not jeopardised. EX-QUEEN NATALIE. Ex-Queen Natalie, of Servia, is in Papis, and is overwhelmed with grief at the assassination of her son . « Further particulars regarding the assassination of King Alexander and Queen Draga of Servia, together with Ministers and members of the Court, and the assumption of power by the conspirators, as a result of a revolt by the Servian army show that a hundred and fifty army I officers headed and carried out the conspiracy. The leaders, however, represented a far wider movement, including many leading persons of all political parties. A provisional Government was constituted some time ago, and the army was won over mainly by the Radical party, i Several members of the late i Servian Ministry were arrested at i Belgrade, but were subsequently released. i The new Premier, M. Ayakumovitch, stated, in the course of a 1 interview, that the Cabinet would resign when a King had been elected, “ Peace now prevails,” he j said, “ and will continue,” I An outopay which had been made shows that King Alexander re--1 ceived thirty shot-wounds and , Queen Draga numerous shot and j sabre wounds. j After shooting the Queen the assassins flung her body out of the j window to convince the that the deed had been done. The crowd cheered the assassins, and flags were displayed at most of the windows It is expected the army’s nominee, Prince Karageorgevitch, will be elected. Many civilians favour a republican form of government, while others favour the appointment of Prince Mirko of Montenegro; Colonel Naumovics, who was shot by King Alexander on his presenting to the latter a form of abdication, is officially described as “ dying on the field of honour for the Fatherland” A DECLARATION OF POLICY, In the course of an interview, Prince Karageorgevitch deplored that the army had resorted to violence, as he considered King Alexander’s abdication would have sufficed. The Prince added •“ If I cm called to the throne, I will be inspired with Switzerland’s admirable inaititutiona. I favour the absolute liberty of the press, “I hope,” he said, “ to see Servia prosper under a Constitution similar to that in force in 1899. “ It is untrue that I am systematically hostile to Austria. Possibly I may have special sympathy with Russia, inasmuch as I have sent my son to the Russian Court, hoping he may take service there.’