HL Deb 11 June 1903 vol 123 c597
EARL SPENCER

As I see the noble Marquess the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in his place, I desire to know whether he has any information to give the House regarding the terrible tragedy which has happened in Servia.

*THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (The Marquess of LANSDOWNE)

My Lords, the information which I have received from various sources leaves, I am sorry to say, no doubt that the King and Queen of Servia were murdered last night. It appears that there perished at the same time a brother of the Queen, two of the Queen's sisters, a general, one of the King's aides-de-camp, and twelve men of the Royal Guard. We are given to understand that the movement was organised by the Servian Army, and that it has led to the proclamation of Prince Peter Karageorgevitch, and the formation of a new Government containing representatives of different parties in the State under a gentleman who formerly held the office of Prime Minister. We are further informed that the Constitution of 1901, which was recently abolished by the late King, has been restored, and that the National Assembly, which was dissolved in March last, has been summoned to meet at once. Another account includes among the number of victims the Prime Minister and the Minister for War.

EARL SPENCER

Can the noble Marquess state how this occurred?

*THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE

I gather that the Palace was surrounded and attacked, and that these unfortunate persons were done to death.