DEATH OF KING FEISAL

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20957, 11 September 1933, Page 11

DEATH OF KING FEISAL

BRITISH TRIBUTES SON PROCLAIMED SUCCESSOR (linirisir OFriccACi wikbless.) (Received September 10, 5.5 p.m.) RUGBY, September 8. The news o£ the sudden death of King Feisal of Iraq came as a great shock to his many friends throughout Great Britain. Although he had been confined to his room for some days, his death was unexpected. It is understood that his Foreign Secretary, General. Arie Pasha, was with him when he died. King Feisal gained great distinction during the war, for when, his 'father raised the standard of revolt | against Turkey he led many dar- ; ing raids into and behind the Turki ish linos. Having been freed from | Turkish rule, Iraq after the war ! was recognised as an independent i State, with Great Britain as the i mandatory power. ! The Emir Ghazi, who has been j proclaimed King of Iraq, is 21 years old, and was educated at Harrow. When the King left for Switzerland I a few days ago he appointed the Crown Prince as Regent. In accordance with Arab custom, the Emir Ghazi was proclaimed king at a simple ceremony, and the Presidents of the Senate and the Chamber and the Cabinet Ministers afterward took the oath of allegiance. The public was notified by a salute of 101 guns. Bazaars throughout the country are closed in mourning. King George's Message. His Majesty King George has sent the following message to the King of Iraq: "The Queen and I have learned with profound regret of the sudden and unexpected death of your illustrious father, Feisal, whom we so recently had the pleasure of welcoming as a guest, and we would ask your Majesty to accept our heartfelt condolences on the grievous loss which you and your royal house and people have sustained through this melancholy event. At the same time, I take pleasure in oll'ering to your Majesty my cordial congratulations on your accession to the throne, together with the heartiest good wishes for happiness and prosperity during your reign." The London newspapers pay a warm tribute to King Feisal as a soldier and a statesman, and recapitulate his brilliant share in the Middle East campaign. Lord Allenby, who commanded the forces in Palestine during the war, and who was attached to King Feisal's staff during his recent visit lo London, described him as a loyal friend, a charming personality, a straightforward man, a very good soldier, and an able politician. Lord Allenby added that The King was not well during his visit to England, but felt that his duty called him back to Bagdad. "I presume that he sacrificed himself to his country. A king has to do that sort of thing," added Lord Allenby. WEEK OF MOURNING IN BAGDAD NO CHANCE IN POLICY (Received September 10, 8.1 p.m.) BAGDAD, September 9. Rashid Ali has been formally reappointed Premier. He announced ithe continuance under King Ghazi of the policy of maintaining the : bonds of friendship and alliance j with Great Britain. j A Moslem procession with funeral drums beating and standards dipped ' marched slowly through the streets, and passed over the Maude bridge at sunset, beginning a week's mourning. The youthful King Ghazi I. drove with his Ministers through the streets to the palaee, where he received the homage of his subjects. King Feisal's dying words are reported to have been: "I am satisfied that I have done my duty. My hope is that after I am gone my nation will be happy, strong, and united." KING'S RECENT WORRIES! ! BERNE, September 1!. j Pashin Kadry Bey, King Feisal's chief Master of Ceremonies, has issued a statement to the effect that the King lost between 101b and 121b in weight because of worry over recent affairs. The remains will be embalmed and sent to Bagdad. NO TRACE OF POISON SUSPICIONS DISPOSED OF (Received September 10. 8.36 p.m.) LONDON, September 9. The Berne correspondent of the "Daily Mail" says that King Feisal's doctor disposes of the suspiciDns that his death might have been due to poison, saying that there was no trace of any. King Feisal, he says, died frcum arterio sclerosis, from which lie had long been a tuilerer. FEARS FOR FUTURE OF COUNTRY LONDON, September 9. Comments on King Feisal's death shows anxiety for the future of Iraq. The "Daily Express" declares that the kingdom of Iraq has cost the British Exchequer more than £IOO,OOO. "There is nothing in Mesopotamia or Arabia to justify spending British money and risking British lives on," says the newspaper. "We should abandon our temporary mandate there and devote our enei'gies and treasure in our permanent heritage, the colonies and Dominions." [The British mandate over Iraq was relinquished early this year.]