MONARCH’S POWER

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 557, 9 January 1929, Page 9

MONARCH’S POWER

Serb King Can Declare War, Make Laws, Appoint Leaders MOST ABSOLUTE RULER A LEXAXDER, King of the Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes is r% the world's most absolute monarch. He can declare war or peace; he can make laws; he can appoint officers and judges. In short, he has assumed complete and sole authority in the kingdom. (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) Times Cable.

Times

Reed. 9.5 a.m. LONDON, Tuesday. The “Daily Chronicle” says it is not fair to represent the change in Jugo-Slavia as a change from Parliamentary government to an autocracy. Parliamentary Government at Belgrade since the war had broken down, lhere had been 25 Ministries in a deCa - +f’ _/^ ie new State was threatened with disintegration and even civil war. Belgrade telegrams sftate that complete calm now reigns everywhere in Jugo-Slavia. It is hoped that the long period of instability is ended, but a strict censorship has been established. and it is difficult fully to ascertain the real feeling of the countrv. While Croatia welcomes King Alexander’s action sum* riding the hated Constitution of 1921, the country does not expect the King to fulfil all the fundamental demands of the Croatian autonomists. The three Croatian members of the Cabinet, however, enjoy the confidence of the Croat leaders of Zagreb. MOST ABSOLUTE KING *L'he Belgrade correspondent of “The Times” describes Iving Alexander of Augo-Slavia as the most absolute of all monarchs. By virtue of the decree announcing the new regime he has assumed complete and sole authority over every department of State. The King will make laws, nominate officials and military officers, command all the armed forces, ancl be responsible for foreign affairs. He can declare war, peace and amnesties for criminals and can release the latter before trial.

His Majesty can fix the amount of his own civil list. His person is inviolate. He cannot be accused or held responsible for any act. He can appoint Ministers responsible to him directly, and they cannot even plead that he instructed them. Furthermore, the King can nominate Judges and a special court for the Trial of Ministers. Also, he can nominate a Regent in the event of his death before his heir attains the age of 18. IDEA UNPOPULAR It can be said forthwith that the idea of an autocracy is unpopular in Serbia, says the correspondent. The Serbs are temperamentally democratic. History shows that since the Turkish yoke was thrown off there has been a long struggle by the people against the rulers for supremacy. The most unhappy memories of the people are earlier coups d’etat. Will there be less exasperation today because Parliament has brought ’the country to such a pass? The Serbs were discontented with their inefficient administration, also with the failure of their political leaders to come to terms with the Croats. There was a widespread conviction that drastic events were imminent and the King only forestalled tli%jn. The Hapsburg provinces will be less disposed to question the King’s dictatorship because they are accustomed to autocratic rule. The Croats will rejoice because they have been relieved of the hated constitution which was the root of all their troubles.