King of Siam’s Last Word

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 53, 5 March 1935, Page 7

King of Siam’s Last Word

Abdication Announced

SUCCESSOR TO THRONE NOT INDICATED

United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.

LONDON, March. 3

The King of Siam has abdicated. His abdication was signed on Saturday, at Cranleigh, ia Surrey. The ex-King and Queen of Siam now desire to be known as Prince . and Princess Sukhodaya. The announcement of tho abdication was confirmed in a most informal manner by the ex-King's secretary, who, attired in flannels and sports coat, entered the little sittingroom of Prince Sukhodaya’s country home, Knowle Park, and told tho correspondents waiting. “Well, it’s all over. The King is King no more. His feelings arc dcscribable as a sad relief, though it. is a blow to abandon the throne after an unsuccessful light for democracy, He desires rest. He will temporarily deny himself visitors. His future plans are uncertain, but he has said his last word regarding Siam. “Princo Sukhodaya stays in Surrey, where he is leading the life of a country gentleman, until June, after which ho may go to Europe.” In the course of a chat, the-ex-King, wearing a sports suit, accompanied by the cx-Quccn, deprecated ‘‘the silly habit” of referring to him as ‘‘brother of tho moon,” and as ‘‘possessor of the twenty-four unbrellas.” The abdicatory document, which is addressed to nobody in particular, is merely a general statement of the situation. It reviews events since the coup dc'tat'ln 1932 and the ex-King’s difficulties with tho parties in power. The document docs not indicate a successor to the throne.

The Siamese delegation which at tempted to dissuade him from abdicat ing will shortly return to Siam.

Throne Offered to Youthful Prince NEPHEW OF EX-KING Received Monday, 10.30 p.m. LONDON, March 4. The Daily Mail’s Lausanne correspondent says that the Siameso Minister at Paris has offered the throne to Prince Ananda, the 11-year-old nephew of the ex-King. His mother, Princess Songkla, docs not'object to his accession. Prince Ananda, who is being educated at Lausanne, intimated that ho was ready to agree to the people’s wishes.

King’s Successor to be Mere Figurehead

Received Monday, 10.30 p.m. SINGAPORE, March 4,

The Siamese Government has determined that tho King’s successor shall be a mere figurehead.