Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1926. ROUMANIAN ROYALTIES

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 December 1926, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1926. ROUMANIAN ROYALTIES

Roumanian royalties have been prominent in cabled messages of late, their public and private troubles affording enterprising journalists with welcome ‘‘copy.” The various reports will not arouse much outside sympathy, except for King Ferdinand over his illness, predicted to be soon fatal. As he was born in 1865, he is not a young man, and it may well be that his end is near. There seems nothing wrong with the vitality and energy of his wife, Queen Marie, who has set a new pace for European queens. She was a British princess, being a daughter of the late Duke of Edinburgh, and her conduct must be alarming the conventional courtiers of Europe. Iler recent journey through the United States and Canada was more like the progress of a film star, and far from evading publicity as is usual with royalties, she sought it, and moveover was willing to accept all that was going in the shape of subsidies. This was in striking contrast to the attitude of her British relations, who are most scrupulous about not accepting personal gifts. Many citizens of republican United States, as usual, made a great fuss of the royal visitor, Judging from the standard of the cabled messages received about Queen Marie’s tour, the American democrats once again demonstrated how excited they become over anybody connected with the monarchy they affect to despise. Queen Marie’s visit was believed to be mainly to obtain a large loan for Roumania, but whether she succeeded has not yet been announced. She probably had a good time, and enjoyed the trip, and prima donnas have nothing on her where publicity is concerned. The King’s illness and the Queen’s enterprise did not exhaust the Press interest in the Roumanian royalties, as Prince Carol, their eldest son, has been another standby. His marriage to a non-princess, and his subsequent wedding to Princess Helen, his surrender of rights to the throne and his return to his first love, read like extracts from an old-fashioned novel. He is not quite the noble character, a real ‘Miero” should be, as he seems willing to listen to offers making sacrifice on his part uhnecessary. He" melodramatically surrendered his rights, as heir-apparent, a year or so:ago, but is willing to return to Bucharest on favourable terms.

It 'Would be interesting to know what the Roumanian people or their leaders think of recent developments. King Ferdinand’s appeal to the nation to rally round the throne may get a mixed reception as there can be little real love between the Royal House and the Roumanians generally. The importance of the events is not confined to Roumania only, as the geographical position of the country, and its. relations .with its Balkan neighbours will cause the developments to be followed with concern by European statesmen. Roumania is a rich naturally-endowed land, with vast agricultural and mineral resources. Her production of petroleum is very important, and, generally, it is a country that, under wise guidance, could become one of Europe’s best. . Roumania fought with the Allies from. 1916,' and suffered severely for the cause, when Russia collapsed. However, her reward came after 1918, rich provinces being handed to her, that doubled her territory and increased her population nearly three times. Her constitution is democratic, education is free and compulsory, and there would be little chance of the Communists gaining much strength, if the Royal House did its duty. Conduct such as Prince Carol’s cannot be overlooked, in these days, and it would not be surprising if Roumania has to. be added to those European lands which have abolished the monarchy and become. republics, not through opposition to the principle ■> of kingship, but through the silly mistakes and crimes of the royalties concerned. Experience has proved that given a capable ruler, the monarchial system brings better results than does the republican, and the British Empire is fortunate in possessing in its own royal family, the type most to be desired.