Servia.

Manawatu Herald, 23 June 1903, Page 2

Servia.

Press correspondents inspected the Palace at Belgrade, and obtained sickening details df the recent massacre from officers who accompanied them, laughing and joking over the affair. They eagerly pointed out bulletholes and dynamite marks, and boasted that they fired through and under beds, couches and tables in their efforts to find their victims Mirrors were shattered, ceilings pierced, and pictures ruined. The Sovereigns Were slain iii a small dressing-room adjoining their bedroom. Broad bloodstains were visible. The Emperor of Austria has assured King Peter of his sympathy, support and friendship in the task of raising Servia from the severe fall it has sustained' in r the eyes of the civilised world through a heinous and universally reprobated crime. Mr Balfour stated in the House of Commons that the Government had considered whether Britain should mark her reprobation of the crime that had disgraced, Belgrade by withdrawing Sir G. F. Bonham, the British Minister. He would, however, remain to Watch events, without being accredited to the new King until fuller information had been received of the circumstances attending the new Governmsnt’s advent to power. SOME OF THE MURDERERS TO BE TRIED- v It is understood that the conspirators sounded Russia and Austria before King Peter Was elected. It is stated that sonte of the, officers who organised the tragedy will be tried by their peers. The ostentatious recantation made by the Metropolitan—who was a friend and supporter of Alexander —has jeopardised his own position, and it is expected that he will retire. Russian newspapers denounce the crime at Belgrade . as an indelible stain on the Servian Army. The church “ Official Messenger ” expresses the hope that King Peter will rigorously punish the traitorous regicides. STATEMENT BY THE BRITISH FOREIGN MINISTER. Replying in the House of Lords to a question by Baron Newton, Lord Lansdowne, Minister for Foreign Affairs, expressed the Government’s undiminished abhorrence of the outrages at Belgrade. He said that no proposal had been made to Britain for concerted action on the part of the powers to secure punitive measures, nor could great Britain usefully convey such a proposal to other powers. “Regarding diplomatic relations, however,” said Lord Lansdowne, “nothing is from- our thoughts than to maintain ordinary relations with the persons concerned in these events ”• The Minister went on to say that Sir 0. F. Bonham, British Minister at Belgrade, was instructed by telegram on the 15th insb. to limit his intercourse with the authorities to what was necessary to enable him to report on events, and to do nothing suggesting official recognition of the provisional Government, whose freedom from complicity was not yet established, or implying recognition of any authority set up in succession to the late dynasty. Lord Lansdowne added that France, Germany and Italy were maintaining an attitude similar to that adopted by Britain. Russia was prepared to recognise the new regime, though she had made it clear that she expects proper punishment to be inflicted on the conspirators. The Government has arrived at the conclusion, the Minister stated,’ that it was hot desirable that Sir G. F. Bonham should be at Belgrade for the inauguration of the new reign, and he had consequently been instructed to leave for a time. .The Duke of Rutland and Earl Spencer expressed satisfaction at the stetement of the Minister. DEMAND FOR PUNISHMENT OF THE ASSASSINS. Russian newspapers emphasise the Government’s communique as

published in the “ Official Messenger,” which expressed the hope that King- Peter of Serna will rigorously punish the traitorous regicides. 'The papers declare that the purport of this statement agrees with the Emperor of Austria’s censure, dud express the hope that under Russian and Austrian pressure, other Powers concurring, King Peter will fearlessly take steps to punish the murderers in which he may be assured of the sympathy of the civilised world.