ROYAL LINE IN NEPAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21765, 3 April 1934, Page 9

ROYAL LINE IN NEPAL

PURE DESCENT SECURED CROWN PRINCE CHECKMATED CALCUTTA. March 25 What may be described as a bloodless revolution has taken place in Nepal during the past week. As a result of a bold stroke on the part of the present Prime Minister, who is the executive ruler of Nepal, future succession has been reserved for those of pure descent. The move was precipitated by a projected alliance between the heir apparent and a lady not of "pure blood." Hitherto, members of the Maharajah's family who are in the illegitimate "third category," including General lludra Shumshere, commander-in-chief of the Nepalese army, next in Vie line of succession, had the right to vSie Premiership.

Owing to friction between the pure descent section and the illegitimate section of his family, the Premier decided to remove the probability of future disturbances by banishing fivo highlyplaced officials, including the comman-der-in-chief, from Khatmundu. The latter has been relegated to a small go\crnorship in Western Nepal, where he is under supervision. The others have been interned. New appointments include Sir Padma Shumshcre, eldest lawful son of the late Premier, Maharajah Sir Bhim Shunishere, as commander-in-chief and next in the line of succession. These changes do not in any way affect the position of the spiritual ruler of Nepal, King Bim Bikram, who has no executive power, but have prevented an unpopular alliance of the Crown Prince, of the blood royal, with an illegitimate lady member of the late Premier's family, which had been arranged to take place next month and which was the immediate cause of the administrative changes, which leave the present enlightened Premier in a strong position, removing the possibility of a coup d'etat in tho immediate future.