SERVIA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume L, Issue 12280, 12 June 1903, Page 5

SERVIA.

Ser^via was formerly an' autonomous province of Turkey, but is now a -kingdom governed by a hereditary monarz-h. It is separated from. EGu'ngary by the Danube anjcl the iSave. By the Berlin treaty, 1878, it received a large accession of territory and now has, an area of 18,757 square miles, with a population of 2,500,000. The ! chief exports are agricultural produce, animals and fruit, which are chiefly sent to Aaistria. ' , CONSTITUTION. - < By the constitution ol 1889, a By the constitution of ISB9, a by ballot, represcfrittH the people. This was abrogated by King Alc.varfder in May 1891 axid for seven years, an o&ler constitution of 1569 was revive^.. But on April 6, 1901. a new constitution was proclaimed. It vested the executive in the King and his Ministers, and the legislative authority in the King in conjunction withthe National Assembly and a Senate. The former consists of 130 deputies elected by universal suffrage for foair years; the latter of ol members, •-including 30 life members nominated by the King, 18 elected members (for six years), with ecclesiastical representatives and the heir apparent. POLITICAL PARTIES. * There are three political parties in the country — the Radicals, including the bul'lc of the peasants, who loolc to Russia for gjufdance; the Liberals, consisting chiefly of the town population who also -favour Russia; and the Progressives who look to Austria, for support. ' KING ALEXANDER. King Alexander, the murdered sovereign, was born on August 14, ]876 and ascended the throne on the abdication of his father, King' Milan, on March 6, 1889. Wihcn he was Crown Prince, he accompanied his mother, Queen Natalie, into exile after her separation from the King, but was forcibly removed from her at Berlin and taken back , to Belgrade. Until 189,3 he was under tihe care of two regents, but in that year, the country hajying for some time been in a state of dissension, the yniung Prince, doubtless at. the- suggestion of King Milan, su'dfdonly assumed the reins of power. His betrothal to Mm'e Draga Maschin, formerly a latly-in- waiting- to Quean' Natalie, wrfs announced on July 22, i 1900, und donpite much opjioßtlion on the part of the King's ud)vi»nrs, was solemnised on August s_the same year. THE COURT'S UNPOPULARITY. • Sorvia from the shortcomings of the reigning- house. Queen Dratya was' childless, and prevailed on the

[King to recognise her yaunger brother, i Lieut. Lunjeirtza as his successor to the throne. * The Palace was full of dissensions and intrigues accentuated' by the continual- struggles for the favour of the Czar and Czarnia, tlie latter of whom was di si inclined to receive the Senvian Queen. The advent of General Markovitch's Ministry on I November 18/1902, apparently marked I King Alexander's realisation of his failure to win Russia's fa,voiur. and his desire to strengthen his position by the establishment of a military regime. THE ARMY. SerVia's army, consists, on a peace footing, of 19,000 men with ISO field "gftms. On a war footing it inclu'dos a fiel;d_ force of 73.000 rifles and 4000 sabres with 276 tied g-u,n»: a first ban of 55,000 rifles, awl 20.0 sabres, a second ban of 35,000 rifles and 500 sabres- and depots with 2000 rifles, 500 sabres and 32 field guns. The total of the war footing is therefore 165.000 rifles, 6000 sabres and 30S field gfrms.. -