KING OF SIAM

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 81, 4 March 1935, Page 7

KING OF SIAM

THE THRONE RENOUNCED. \ 1 “A BAD RELIEF.” SIGNATURE TO DOCUMENT. '' ■. if ■ -■ ; (United Press Association. —By' Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received March 4, 9.40 a.m. LONDON, March 3. The King of Siam’s abdication was •igned at Cronleigh on Saturday at 1.45 p.m. and handed to the President of the National Assembly -at the legation in London at 4.30 p.m. It becomes effective immediately. The ex-King and Queen of Siam desire to be known as Prince and Prmcess Sukhodaya.

The announcement of the abdication ■was confirmed in a most.informal manner by the ex-King’s secretary, who, attired in flannels and a sports coat, entered the little sittingroom of Prince Sukhodaya’s country home at Knowle Park and told the correspondents waiting: “Well, it is all over; the King is a king no more.

“His feelings may be described as a sad relief, though it is a blow to abandon the throne after the unsuccessful fight for democracy. He desires to rest and will temporarily deny himself visitors; his future plans are uncertain, but he has said the last word regarding Siam. He will stay in Surrey, where he is leading the life of a country gentleman, until June, after which he may go .to Europe.”

During a chat, the ex-King, wearing a sports suit, accompanied by the exQueen ; deprecated the silly habit of referring to him as “Brother of the Moon” and “the possessor of the 24 umbrellas.”

The abdicatory document, which is addressed to nobody in particular, is merely a general statement of the situation. It reviews the events since the coup d’etat in 1932, and the ex-King’s difficulties with the parties in power. The document does not indicate the mccessor to the throne.

The Siamese delegation which attempted to dissuade the King from abdicating will shortly return to Siam. Persons in close touch with the situation at Bangkok believe that there may be an outbreak against the Government when the abdication is announced, and bloodshed is feared. The King proposes to remain in England until June and will then reside in Switzerland.