YUGOSLAVIAN RULERS

Taranaki Daily News, 13 October 1934, Page 13 (Supplement)

YUGOSLAVIAN RULERS

BLOOD-STAINED THRONE

(By

H.E.C.)

Probably in no part of Europe has there been more warfare than in that north-west portion of the Balkan peninsula which is now the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. As most people are aware, the kingdom is the confederation of the old kingdoms of Serbia and Montenegro with the former Austrian provinces of Dalmatia, Croatia, Bosnia and Hercegovina added. Serbia was the largest of these States and is the predominant partner in the new union of “Southern Slavs” from which Yugoslavia takes its name.

Serbian national history goes back a long way. In the seventh century Serb tribes began to form a distinct community, though for two centuries they were more or- less scattered. Then in the tenth century a Prince Vladimir formed a sort of federation of the tribes, the chief point of adhesion being a desire to block the Serbian territory against Bulgarian forces. The Serbs were defeated and their leader taken captive to the capital of Bulgaria. There he tirade a good impression and ultimately made terms with his conqueror,, the Bulgarian Tsar, Samuel. Under this treaty Vladimir married Samuel’s daughter and was allowed to return as the ruler of a Serbia that wa given home rule on condition that the overlordship of Bulgaria was admitted. j For a time matters were quiet, but in a few years’ time the Serbians revolted. rr ’--- mu-'-’ —' ’ their and chose

the suzerainty of Greece rather than "-+ of the hated Bulgars. For the next 200 years the history of the Serbs was that of fighting either their neighbours or among themselves. Their bravery was undoubted, but their capacity for government was poor. About the middle of the twelfth century a leader, Stephen Nimanya, brought about some sort of national cohesion, and his dynasty lasted for nearly 200 years. In 1345 a descendant of his felt strong ei.jugh to attack Greece and was - ~ ned Emperor of’ the Serbs and Greeks. He gave Serbia a constitution, set up a primitive Parliament, and codified the laws.

But a new terror threatened the Balkans. The Mussulmen in Turkey were sweeping westward. The Serbian Prince challenged the Turkish army, but died suddenly while in the field. His son was defeated and killed by the Turks, who competed the invasion of Bulgaria and reduced Serbia to a tributary province of the Ottoman Empire, a condition it suffered for over 300 years. Not, however, without many struggles for independence. Serbia’s history is full of gallant attempts to regain freedom, with nearly always the same factors, lack of cohesion among the tribes and lack of generalship, rendering futile the wonderful bravery of her soldiers. Serbia would aid any Power that seemed to promise freedom. Late in the 17th century she aided Austria to push back the Turks. The promise of independence was forgotten when Austria was victorious, and Serbia became an Austrian province. Forty years later the struggle between Austria- and Turkey ended in the latter’s favour, and Serbia found herself for another .50 years a harshly governed Ottoman dependency. At the end of that period, in 1787, Russia aided Austria, but they were unable to free Serbia from the Turkish yoke. Meanwhile a local patriot,- Kara George, had become a leader; He gradually reorganised the Serbian fighters and in 1805 gained his first victory over the Turks. Kara George joined with Russia in further hostilities against Turkey, but Russian diplomacy saw fit to make terms with the Turks by which their right to maintain garrisons in Serbia was agreed to. Once her armies were again established in Serbian territory the end of Balkan independence was not far off. A year after the treaty with Russia was made Turkey had conquered Serbia, Kara George was a fugitive and most of the Serbian leaders were executed.

But just when western Europe was preparing for the final struggle with Napoleon that ended at Waterloo. a new Serbian leader arose. His name was Milo? Obrenovic, and he began by professing acceptance of Turkish overlordship. He caused the assassination of Kara George as an earnest of his goodwill towards Turkey, but in three months’ campaigning he drove out the Turkish forces. Unfortunately he was as autocratic as the Turkish governors, and though he ruled-for 24 years he was then forced to abdicate. His son Michael succeeded him, but he also was flung out of office in 1842.

The people then turned to the family of Kara George, whose son Alexander became Prince. He ruled for 16 years, but his friendship for Austria caused his deposition and Milos Obrenovic was recalled. Milos was then 80 years old, •but though his rule was as autocratic as ever he kept the Turks in check. He was succeeded by his son Michael, who by fighting and diplomacy freed the principality of the Turks. Michael was assassinated after eight years’ rule, being succeeded by his cousin Milan, then a boy of 14. Milan made secret agreements with Austria which made Serbia practically a vassal State, and • after escaping an attempt upon his life he abdicated in 1889 in favour of his son Alexander. In Milan’s reign Serbia was declared a kingdom, and when he was 17 the young King Alexander abolished the Regency and took charge of affairs. His was wrecked by his infatuation for the woman he made Queen Draga. His life was attempted as soon as he made known his intention of marrying her. Four years later Alexander and his queen were slaughtered in the palace at Belgrade in circumstances that caused horror throughout Europe. Once again the Serbs turned to the family of Kara George for a leader, Prince Peter Karageorgevic becoming King in 1903. Ten years later Serbia joined with other Balkan States in a successful war against Turkey. But division of the spoils led to war between Serbia and Bulgaria, in which the Bulgarians were defeated. In 1914 King Peter retired in favour of his second son, Prince Alexander. The Prince had to lead his people through the bitter days of the Great War. Even then internecine strife was rampant, and when the Peace Treaties made the new kingdom of Yugoslavia possible it seemed as though there might be fighting between the provinces of which it was made up. Prince Alexander became King on his father’s death in 1921. He showed a desire to govern constitutionally, but had courage enough to suspend the constitution five years ago to save a more serious position. This week he has met the reward of so many Serbian patriots, namely, death fron. assassination. “That a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand” has been proven many times in Balkan history. One wonders whether this week’s tragedy is to be the prelude to the disintegration of Yugoslavia or to happenings even more tragic.