BALKAN CRISIS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 190, 13 June 1903, Page 3

BALKAN CRISIS.

KIM6, QUEEN AND MINISTERS MURDERED. LATEST DEVELOPMENT. SERVIAN ARMY REVOLT. Per Press Association Extraordinary. Bebeived 12, 8.34 am. London, June 11, It is reported that the Servian army las revolted, aid that the King and Queen axd several of the Ministers have been murdered. Later. It is reported both at Cologne and Buda Peslh that the Servian army has revolted, and pi the Pretender, Piince Peter Karageorgevitch, King. The report states that the soldiers list night surrounded the Royal Palace at Belgrade, and assassinated King Alexander aad Queen Drags. It is also rumoured tbat several Ministers have been murdered.

NhWS UONITIRMKD. London, Jane 11. A later message cot firms the report thit Kiog Alexander, Qieen Drags, and the Qieen'a brothers have been asSissinated. The Premier and Generals Retrovitch (Minister of Wat) and Paolovitch and several otter members of the *£ourt have alsa fallen.

DETAILS OF OONSPIBAOF. THB NEW GOVERNMENT. Belgrade, June 11. Mapr Angouvitch headed the conspiracy, which was executed before midnight. i Qu?en Draga's brother end sis'er, theQaeen'saide-de-campand M.Todaro vitcb, Minister of the Interior, were amongst those who were assassinated. M. Avakumovitch, the new Premier, has issued a proclamation announcing that the King and Quean were shoti The friends of their fa'herhnd, in that fateful moment, had combined to form a new Government, and they invited the people to assist them to maintain order and security. He a'so announced that the constitution of 1901 would be restored, and the nation's r< preventatives would be summoned together on Jane 15tb. Mr Kilievieh will b* Minister of Foreign Affiirs in the new Government, and M. Protico Minister of the Interior. Crowds have been passing through tha streets since 3 o'clock in the morning, whispering abou 1 ; the tragedy, but without u'tering reproach??. They cheered M". Protico and M. Spies.

JBOBABLE 80UJTION OP TROUBLE. London, Jane 11. Diplom .tists in London do not anticipate that there will ba civil war. King Alexander has been unpopular since his taamage, especially sinei Queen, Draca's attempt to secure the succ/dsion of her famity.. . The election of Prite3 Karageorgevitcbi who is at Geneva, is considered the-most, probable solution of the situation. In. the event of unexpected complication, Austrian troops will probably restore order.

KING'S BEPLY WHES ASKED TO PALACE OCCUPIED—GUABDB KILLED Received 12, 6.41 p.m. Belgrade, June 11. * When Co'one) ISaumovitch a<ked King. Alexander to abdicate, the King shot him. "■ The sixth regiment, commanded by Oaptain Machio, Queen Draga's first .husband's brother, subsequently occupalace. Several of the Palace guards were killed.

HOSTILITY OF THE ARMY. PLOT HASTENED. QCEBTION OF SUOORS3ION THE OArJSB, - KINO'S BSDROOM OPENED BY A BOMB, A TRAGIO BOENS. KILLED ON THE ROOF. Ecceived 13.12.24 a.m. Bblobadb, June 12, The army has been hostile since the King's coup d'etat. The plot has been ripaning for weeks, and was accelerated lest the new Bkuptsbhino, elected last week, should give the Premier a great to to settle the succession to the throne in favour of Captain Luugytvitz», Queen Draga's brother. The disaffected Sixth iDfar. try, which was earrisiniDg Belgrade, surnmoded the Palace at midnight on Wednesday, overpowered the* guard, killing 100, including the Commando", Color el Naumovi'ch. King Alexander's adjutant by means of a bomb burat opeD the Royal bedroom and entered, accompanied by Colonels Nuechets and Macbin and seme of the junior officers. Colonel Naumoviteh presented the King with a form of abdication, directing bim to sign it, because in marrying a woman of ill repute he bad degraded the country.

King Alexander cried " Traitor," and I instantly shot Naumovifch dead. ! Colonel Nugche'e again presenting the document, the Boyaltiep, in their night attiw, fled to tbe rcof, where they were killed. Queen Draga's two brotte-s were killed in the Palace. General Nikoh'ch, with eight infantry, tried to come to tbe King's aid, but encountered a strong fo'ce under Co'onel Gagovitch. Tha latter was killed, General Nikolicb being severely wounded.

~ • OFFIQIAL EXPLANATION. COSFLIOTING VERSIONS, gg£* Received 12,0.44 a.m. Belgrade, Jute 12. The official explanation published a* Belgrade is fbat after dinner the King suddenly directed Queen Draga to leave the cuintjy. She- refussd, and the King ordered the military to occupy the Pitlare. "Ihe Qietn's friend* thereupon rallied, a fight f usued, and Royalties were killed.

Received 13, 0.50 a.m. Belgrade, Jone 12. 0 !ier »c:onnte state that v;hen Colonel 'Nmmovic* was shot, Oue'ii l)r.'i«i> i.j.;j.-hlhl <■• Oclruol N';~o!:ofi<,

who rep'ied, " Let the King abdicate and free Servia from your miserable j presence." Then Colore! Machin, having j'lst murdered Luogyevitza, after a heroic resis'acce agaiosli heavy od 's, entered the bedroom. I The Kiog then told the Queen to fly, and both were overtaken on the roof. ! The King bravely f *ced his ass < Hants and tried to protecS the Queen, but Mtjor a disgraced officer, shot him in the face. i The King fell, but tried to rise and [speak, when a second shot was firel I which proved fatal. \ Simultaneously the soldiers shob Q leen Draga wh", falling on her husbmd's body, tteu received a bayocet wound in her m ok. I The bodies were rolled in B v eeto, powered to the courtyard, and placed in a waggon until removed to thej Royal chapel. ( Toborovk's daughter was murdered, while shielding her father. | The murder cf the Queen's sister is not; confirmed. Priece Peer Karageorgevitch declares he aid not participate in the plot, which he regards as a detestable crime.

AUSTRIA F VOURABLE TO THE bUOOESSOR. Received 12, U2 am. London, June 12. It is stated that Austin is favourable to Pritce Karageogivitcb if her interests are not; jeopardised. Received 13. 1.17 a.m. Paws, Juie 12. Ex-Qaeen Natalie is in Paris. She is overwhelmed with grief.

MURDER OB 188, MINISTERS. Beceired 13,1.8 a.m. Belgrade, Juni 12, On the pretence of an urgent message Bcme soldiers ga : ned access to the Premier. General Pavlovitch, Minister of War, fled to th > bar acks, where 25 shots were fired, killing bim. M. Todorovitcb, Minister of Interior, was murdered at his own house.

BBUPiSOHINA SUMMONED. Received 13,1.22 a m. Belgrade, Juue 12. TheSkup'schina has been summoned, the one which the King dismissed in March. It is expected they will endorse Prince Peter Karageorgevitch's election, or appoint his son George, now being educited at the Russian Court. The Radical Serviau newspapers dechre that the chief causes of the conspiracy were the recent scandalous elections, th« Kiog's uncourteous treatment of officers, bi3 intention to remove the war sebcol toShabtzi, and •hs selection of Queen Drag i's brother as heir apparent.

THE KING'S MURD3R PREDICTED. Received 13, 1.25 a.m. Belgrade, Jure 12. Though the coup was execu'eJ by a few officers of two detachments of troops, the rest of the army quietly acquiesced. M. Mach has len appc in ted Minister x o( Works, LoNrou, June 12, Mr Ssead, cf tin Review of Reviews, aes'rta that in March last ore if bis clairvoyants predicted King Alexander's murder.

THE KING AND QUEEN OF SERVIA Alexander 1. (Obrenovitch), the Ute King of Servia, was born on August 14' hj; 1876, acd was privately educated at Belgrade, He succeeded his father, •he ex-King of Milar>, who abdicated' in his favour on March 6 w h, 1889, aft-'r divorcing hiß ron 8".r L , Queen Na l ali». He was under the guaroi3nship o f tw> Regent?, M, and M. B lema.krvitch, till 1893. Wh'n Crown Prince he rccomparied his mother,! Qu c en Natalie, irto rx'le, was, forcibly removed frrm her a*; Berlin and taken back to Belgrade. In 1893, the country having'for some time b>en in active dissentior, the Prirc6 suddenly dismissed his and assumed the reiges cf power, and his rule till recently Servii has Eu&Vel lees from civil dissentiens lhan during 'he Regency. His betrotlnl to Mcqp.. Draga Maschin, formerly one or. the ladies in waiting to his roo'hfr, was announced on July 2nd, 1900. Tbe news was re-e'ved afefirst with dismay and his Ministers resigned in a body, considering thit the marriage was dangerous for Sfrvia, and not likely to bring any happiness to the King. Alexander, however, who was deeply in love with* his cmsort, declared to them that'he would die rather than give ber up, and that whatever opposition was made he was determined to hive his own way in tbe mat'er, and to marry a lady whom be leved, ratf.er than 6ome princ°ss provide! for him by v his parents.

Most fortunately for the Kingf, the Tzir approved of the unioD, as be Faw in it a way to free Servia from the presence rf the ex-King Milar>, who both a*, the time that he reigned and since ha l * done much to upse"; the internal o e ace of S rv:a. Not only did the Tzar immediately S3nd his congratuUtrons to the King on hearing of his betrothal, but he declared himself wil ling to be the chief witness at the mjrrisgo, and said he would sand a representative. His Majesty also sent the bridge a very hatdsmi present. The marriage fcoV place on August sth, in spite of much opposition from the King's advisers. The Queen h now abrut 36 years of age. She belongs to a well known Servian family, which his given many great men to the country, her grandfather having partxuhrly distinguished himself at the beginning of the century in the Perv'an wtr frr independence Her maiden name was Lurj?vica, when very young she was married to n mining engineer, who made her very unhappy, and who, itissiid,commi'ttd sa'cide some nine years f go. King Alexander made the acquaintatce of his wife at Birrilz, abcu v four years before the betro'hal, and it was stated that sh" was quite as much in love with him as he was with h<r.i He found in her a fympithetic fiiend, and the fac- that ebo was his Renicr in <ige drew h : m the wore 'owards her, as re preferred wrmm older than himself. The Queen was tall, rather stout, but wi'h a graceful carriage. Her features we-e r?gul»r, and hrr eyes and hair beautiful. Moreover she was a clever conversationalist and a charming companion.

The unfortunate) King feat had a brief, but exri'irg career, which his closed in a trpg dy such as only a revolution can produce.