A HAUNTED KING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12609, 25 June 1904, Page 2 (Supplement)

A HAUNTED KING .

THE SERVIAN MONARCH'S STRANGE DREAMS. ■ Political and social circles of Belgrade are in a certain sense under a cloud.of apprehension for .the future of Servia, -. The air is full "of strange dissensions ia the great Radical party, probable resignation of the Cabinet, eventual abdication of King Peter, possible V occupation of Belgrade by Austrian troops. The rumours of his contemplated abdication are at least premature. It is not to be denied that of late King Peer's health is not very .good." Especially; Bince his return from a visit to Semendria and Pozarevatz, his depression of spirits and ~ his insomnia have increased. He returned very disappointed from that visit. Those two towns have been always known for their faithful Sympathies for the dynasty of Kar&georgevitch, and King Peter hoped that at; least there he would find that hearty reception which he did not find on his first journey to Nish. ;'•■:■. Unfortunately he took with him on this visit the three, principal actors in the assassination of King Alexander and Queen Draga, Colonels Mashin, Darhya-n, and Mismatch. He invited Mr. Genchitch, the "civil organiser of the conspiracy, and Haggi Thbma, who supplied money for that organisation, to accompany him on that journey. But as those two men belong to the Liberal party, the Radical Government protested, and threatened to resign if King Peter did i not cancel that invitation, ; and the King had to comply with the request of his Cabinet. But the rumour that King Peter was to come to Semendria accompanied by three of the principal regicides spread like Ore, and made the worst possible' impression.. ; The more respectable citizens, who spent their lives as ■••> devoted partisans of Karageorgevitch, did .not go to the reception of the King. i; The : peasants, who filled the streets, forgot to cheer, forgot even to look at their new King, absorbed as they were in gazing at." the murderers ;•; of • our King." Their, curiosity being satisfied, they indulged in commentaries, so bitter and so indignant that in many places the police had to intervene to stop them ! All this did not escape King Peters notice, and caused him great disappointment. Similar scenes happened in Pozarcvatz, where, in. addition, many houses were decorated withhold flags bearing still the inscription, " IrfHig live our King Alexander!" Since the return of King Peter to Belgrade the prefects of Semendria and Pozarevatz have been dismissed. A very curious story has been told concerning King Peter. Owing to insomnia the King rises at two o'clock a.m., and calk i, on the officer on duty to keep him company iHe complained - ; to one of them that he dreams often of seeing; King Milan running through the corridors and the halls of the palace with -a drawn sword in his hand, and shouting, ■ "Where are; the • murderers of my son?" ■ These dreams, which seem to be, frequently recurring, such an impression on King Peter that he awakens and cannot sleep any longer, and this is Beginning to exercise a visible effect on liia health. The indifference of the people towards the new King, and King Peter's own melan-! choly end depression, as well as his J total I lack of ; energy, fill the present Govern-;; ment and the friends of the KaragebrgeVitch dynasty with anxiety; [ and apprehension. Some of them suggest that perhaps the coronation andv festivals! connected . with such ! a ceremonial would possibly arouse more in-/ , terest in ■...the peopje, ;' and . • raise eventually the spirits of the King himself. In consequence, there is much talk about the coronation to be performed on June 27, which is i the anniversary of the battle of Kossovo,;i in which Serv'ia lost her independence in 1389 A.I). The Minister for Finance, however, hesitates to give his consent ■'. ■"■