DEATH OF A KING

Evening Star, Issue 19614, 21 July 1927, Page 5

DEATH OF A KING

FERDINAND OF RUMANIA COUNCIL OF REGENCY TO ACT Press Association —Bv Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, July 20. The Exchange Agency's Berlin correopondent reports tho death of tho King of Rumania. A Council of Regency has taken over the Administration. BUCHAREST IH WRING A POPULAR MONARCH DEATH DUE TO CANCER. LONDON, July ‘2O. (Received July 21, at 10 a.m.) • • King Ferdinand faced death with indomitable courage to the cud, which was forecasted almost to a day. Death was due to cancer, from which he had suffered for many years, despite long radium treatment at the hands of a famous Dutch doctor (Sluys). King Ferdinand was a popular figmbefore the war, when he walked ihc streets among his subjects, and ulu-r the war he enhanced his popularity by the handling of the age-old problem ot agrarian reforms. His Majesty’s estate was the first to be cut up. Those at the bedside were the Queen and his daughters—Queen of Jugoslavia and the former Queen of Greece. The funeral will take place in a famous fifteenth century monastery in the hills, which was restored to serve as a Royal mausoleum. The city of Bucharest is in complete mourning. King George and Queen Mary forwarded messages of condolence. The throne of Rumania passes automatically to tho flve-ycar-old Prince Michael, whose proclamation is unnecessary during his minority. The Regency, which is composed of King Ferdinand's second son, Prince Nicholas, who renounced his own succession, the president of the Court of Cassation, M Anei, and the Patriarch, Dr Cristea, will govern the country. Prince Nicholas is well known in London, and is an honorary lieutenant in the British Navy.

"GREATEST AND BEST" THE GOVERNMENT'S PROCLAMATION BUCHAREST, July 20. (Received July 21, at 11.40 a.m.) The Government has issued a proclamation stating: The first King of Greater Rumania has been cut off after a glorious reign, in which was realised tho ancient dream of our people. We weep, uncomforted, for the death of the greatest and best of all Rumanians, who was peerless in understanding and decision during tho war, and wise and good in peace. Ho will ever remain in the hearts of the people. Wc shall never forget that there was not a. sacrifice which King Ferdinand did not make for his country. We wish to remain faithful to the ideal to which he devoted his life. Let us remain united, assuring tranquillity and progress. We are unshakably devoted to the dynasty, tho Constitution and the laws, centring on Michael our love and faith in the , nation’s destiny, believing that a brilliant future is assured to Rumania which was never so great as it is today. —A. and N.Z. and ‘Sun ’ Cable. Ferdinand I. was born at Sigma ringen on August 24, 1565. He was a son of Leopold, a member of the non-reign-ing and Roman Catholic branch of the Hobenzollern family. In 1566 his uncle, Charles, had been chosen King of Rumania, and, as his heir Ferdinand became King in October, 1911. The Great War was then iu progress, but it was not until 1916 that Rumania joined in on the side of the Allies. The land was soon overrun by AustroGermans, and during the difficult period that followed there were rumors of the King’s abdication; but these did not materialise, and the end of the war saw Kim again in possession of his country. Ferdinand married in 189-5 Princess Marie of Edinburgh, a cousin of King George V. He leaves five children. The Crown Prince Carol was born on October 15, 1893, and was trained in the First Foot Guards at Potedam for some time before the war, during which be served In the Rumanian army. On March 10. 1921, he married Princess Helena of Greece, a daughter of the late King Constantine I. and Solie, sister of Kaiser Wilhelm 11. They have n son. Prince Michael, born on October 25. 1921. The eldest daughter. Princess Elizabeth, who was born in 1894, married on February 27, 1921, the'then Crown Prince George of Greece, who became King, and was later compelled to abdicate. Tho second daughter, Princess Marie, was born in 1899, and narried on June 8, 1922, Alexander 1., King of the Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes. The other children aro Prince Nicholas, born in 1903, and Princess Ilcana, born in 1908. Prince Carol was one of the most romantic figures in the eyes of the general public owing to his love affairs. Some time ago he renounced his right to succeed to the throne in favor of hP son. Michael. Tho situation in Rumania has been tonfused and uncertain, owing to the enforced relinquishments of his Royal duties by King Ferdinand, because of his long illness, diagnosed as cancer. Commenting on the situation recently, the Bucharest correspondent of the * Manchester Guardian ’ said: “I learn from an unquestionable source that, while General Avcrescu has now definitely committed tho present Government to the maintenance of the Regency for Prince Michael, which was eet up thirteen months ago upon the abdication-of Carol, as Crown Prince, it is practically certain that tho constitution of the Regency will be changed in an important manner within tho next few weeks.

“Tbo Regency, as constituted last year bv the Bratianu. Government, is composed of three members—Prince Nicholas, the Patriarch of the Orthodox Church and the President of the Supreme Court. It is now the soundlybased judgment of the Bratianus that • three-cornered Regency would not operate smoothly over a long period «f time, and especially so if the death of King Ferdinand precipitated a dynastic conflict—as_ many fear will be the case. According to _my information, therefore, it is the intention of the Bratianus before the passing of King Ferdinand bo make Queen Marie the sole Regent. There would, of course, he no objection to this on the part of Queen Marie. A strong objection, however. is being raised by General Averescu. the Prime Minister, whose Government presumably would have to pass the Bill changing the constitution to the Regency. The understanding ic that General Averescu himself desires to be a Regent in place of Prince Nicholas. The general, moreover, docs not feel that the appointment of Queen Mari* as sole Regent would be popular

with the country at large. The Rumanian masses undoubtedly would rather have Carol as King than his distinguished mother as the solo Regent. “ For several weeks now there has obviously been a great deal of friction between the Bratianus and _ General Aversccu, and, while both . sides are firmly resolved on maintaining the Regency and keeping Carol out of Rumania at all costs, their own personal interests come into sharp conflict over the make-up of the guardianship for Prince Michael that will rule tiie Kingdom of Rumania—under the benevolent guidance of the Bratianus,' of course—during the ‘thirteen years that will elapse before the heir-apparent comes of age.” Since that was written General Averescu resigned by the King’s orders, and a Liberal Government under M. Bratianu (who opposes the return of Prince Carol) was formed. At the General Elections early this month he gained an overwhelming victory.