Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1913.djvu/1172

 1050 MONTENEGRO

MONTENEGRO.

(Crnagora — Kara-dagh. )

Reigning King— Nicholas I., Petrovic Njegos, born October 7 September 25), 1841 ; educated at Trieste and Paris ; proclaimed Prince of Montenegro, as successor of his uncle, Danilo L, August 14, 1860. Assumed title of King, in virtue of a resolution passed unanimously by the National Skupshtinaj'^Aug. 28, 1910, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his accession. Married, November 8, 1860, to Milena Petrovna Fucotic, born May 4, 1847, daughter of Peter Vukotic, senator, and Vice-President of the Council of State, Offspring of the union are three sons, Danilo Alexander, heir-apparent, born June 29, 1871 ; married July 27, 1899, to Princess Jutta (Militza) daughter of the Grand-Duke of Mecklenburg Strelitz ; Mirko, born April 17, 1879, married July 12, 1902, to Natalie Constantinovich, daughter of Colonel Constantinovich, great uncle of the late King Alexander of Servia ; offspring. Prince Michael born September 14, 1908 ; Paul, born May 16, 1910; Peter, born October 10, 1889; and six daughters, Militza, born July 26, 1866, married, August 7, 1889, to the Russian Grand Duke Peter Nikolaievitch ; Stana, born January 4, 1868, married August 28, 1889, to George, Duke of Leuchtenberg, and after the dissolution of that marriage, married in 1907 to the Russian Grand Duke Nicolas Nicolaie- vitch ; Helena, born January 8, 1873, married October 24, 1896, to Victor Emanuel, now King of Italy ; Anna, born August 18, 1874, married May 18, 1897, to Prince Francis Joseph of Battenberg ; Xenia, born April 22, 1881 ; Vera, born February 22, 1887. In December, 1900, the Prince assumed the style of Royal Highness.

The supreme power has been retained in the family of Petrovic Njegos, descending collaterally, since the time of Danilo Petrovic, who, being pro- claimed Vladika, or prince-bishop, of Montenegro in 1697, liberated the country from the Turks, and, having established himself as both spiritual and tem- poral ruler, entered into a religious and political alliance with Russia. His successors retained the theocratic power till the death of Peter Petrovid II. (October 31, 1851), last Vladika of Montenegro, a ruler of great wisdom, as well as a widely celebrated poet. He was succeeded by his nephew, Danilo I., who abandoned the title of Vladika, together with the spiritual functions attached to it, and substituted that of Gospodar, or Prince. At the same time Danilo I., to throw off a remnant of nominal dependency upon Turkey, acknowledged by his predecessors, obtained the recognition of his new title from Russia. In 1878 the independence of Montenegro was formally recog- nised by Turkey and the other Signatory Powers of the Treaty of Berlin. In 1909 the limitations which the Treaty of Berlin had placed on Monte- nec^ro's complete sovereignty were removed, except the prohibition to erect lortiacations at Antivari or along the Boyana. On October 23, 1909, Antivari was opened as a free port. .^, ^, •

The following is the complete list of the Petrovid dynasty, with their

dates : —

Vladikas or Prince- Bishops.

Danilo •. • 1696-1735 | Peter I. (St. Peter). 1782-1830

Sava and Vassili. . 1735-1782 | Peter II. (Vladika Rade) 1830-1851

Danilo I. (Kniaz and Gospodar) 1851-1860

Nicholas I. (reigni^jg King, nephew of the last)