One hundred years ago
THE YOUNG King of Servia, Alexan- der I., struck a coup d'etat on Friday week. He had just passed his military examination, and — according to the earliest accounts, since confirmed by the leading Regent, M. Ristitch, — invited the three Regents to dinner to celebrate the event. The dinner was pleasant and the King talked freely, but as it ended, he made a little speech, in which he thanked the Regents for their devotion, but announced that, as he was now com- petent to reign, they must at once resign. They refused, General Beli- markovitch in particular using strong language; whereupon they were at once marched off under guard to the New Palace. The King visited the barracks, where he was received with acclama- tions, and on the following morning issued decrees announcing his acces- sion, dismissing the Ministry, dissolving the Skupshtina, and appointing his tutor, Dr. Dokitch, Premier, with a new Cabinet. The whole proceeding is ille- gal, as the King is not yet seventeen, and does not become legally of age till eighteen; but public opinion ratifies the decrees, and the new Skupshtina will at once grant a bill of indemnity. The King is as old as Alphonso XII. of Spain when he assumed power, and he is said to possess all the hereditary ability of his House. He was, of course, advised to strike his blow, probably by his father; but he must have either arranged or revised all details; and, whichever of many accounts of the final scene may be the true one, he must, to ensure such secrecy, have secured much attachment and confidence. He perhaps risked little personally, but his agents risked their heads.
The Spectator, 22 April 1893
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