The Memoirs of a Balkan Diplomatist (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1917 Excerpt: ..."You do not know how harshly they treat me." "Even supposing they do," I said, "they are your parents, and as their son--and their only son--you ought to have every consideration for them." "My father used to say, 'Chedo must always have the last word.' Have you had your last word?" "Sire, I have nothing more to say. May God bless you and help you " And I took his proffered right hand and kissed it. He was not a good son, but he was my King. Why do I describe this scene and the conversation which I had with King Alexander in November, 1900? My readers will see the reason presently, when they read the account of the most extraordinary experience of my life. In the summer of 1901 I had to return to Belgrade to occupy my place as member of the Upper House (the Senate) for a few weeks. I soon learned that the unpopularity of the King had greatly spread and deepened. Men and women of the best society complained of the Queen's haughtiness, and I was told that many officers spoke with undisguised hatred of the King. I conceived a plan which, in my opinion, would lessen his Majesty's unpopularity and even, may be, transform it into popularity. In 1904 would be witnessed the centenary of the rising of the Serbian nation against the Turks and their election of Karageorge as leader. It was natural and proper that the people should celebrate that grand event. I formed the idea that King Alexander Obrenovich should take the initiative in the national commemoration. I prepared a memorandum for him showing why he ought to head the movement, and also drafted the letter in which he was to invite the Government to introduce a Bill decreeing the erection of a joint monument to Karageorge and Milosh Obrenovich and to their cowo...