POOR SERVIA.

Evening Post, Volume LXVII, Issue 132, 4 June 1904, Page 13

POOR SERVIA.

Thero is a strong flavour of opera bouffe in tho latest military scandnl reported from tho pestilent little kingdom of Sorvia. Tho troub'.o arose originally from the shocking irro\orcnce of Lieut. Zavadjil of tho Royal Guards, who, visiting tho thcatio in Belgrade,, when in attendance on Prince Paul Knrageorgovitcb, snt himself on tho King's bcut in the Royal box. This sacrilege routed tho indignation of loyal Servians, und especially of M. Jakshitch, editor of the Stumpu, who rushed to his desk and scarified the attending officer in torms which the whole corps of army oflicers in .Belgrade* regarded a.s nu ntTrnnt to j themselves, 'llie editor was request id to publish it contradiction of Iho story, but refused to stultify himself in that manner. Then he wu» challenged to a duel, which ho declined. Zavadjil, accompanied by other oflicers, aU tacked him in n public cufe, his companions drawing their wwoids to prevent tho interference of angry civilians. Soon afterward the editor of the Bdgradsko Novino and a monibor of his stuff woro attacked by officers, and throuts have been mado against any journalist daring to tnko sides against tho at my. In consequence of this, eve.iy journalist in Belgrade goe.s about in tenor of his life. The original offender, M. JnWiitcli, piudwitly htuy.s- at home, guarded by his friends, tho polico not only declining to piolett him, but charging him with disturbing the pence of t lie nimy. Ullinintely the atF.iir is likely to have a salutary influence, as it m ill make tho pn*a an ally of the party which is n % - Holvcd to overthrow the cxisling mililaiy dictutoiship.