A CLOSE SECRET

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12312, 4 April 1933, Page 5

A CLOSE SECRET

GUARDED BY GOVERNMENT HEIR TO RANJITSINHJI’S THRONE. United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON April 3. The Government of India is closely guarding the secret who is to be heir to the late Jam Saheb of Nawanagar, Lieut.-Colonel H.H. Shri Sir Ranjitsinhji Vibhaji, popularly known in the cricket world as “Ranji.” Dewan Mecrwanji, a former Prime Minister, declares that the Jam Sahel) nominated his heir from among his nephews, the Government approving his choice.

Prince Dulepsinhji. one of his nephews, while deploring the Jam Saheb’s death, says he' does not know who will rule, but “certainJy not myself, as I am not in the line of succession.”

The question of a successor, unless someone has been nominated by the Jam Saheb, will cause difficulty, as the latter was a bachelor and' there is no heir in the direct lme, but it is generally believed, that Duleepsinhji the cricketer, being the late ruler’s favourite, will succeed. THOUSANDS OF MESSAGES OF CONDOLENCE. (Received 9.40 a.m.) CALCUTTA. April 3. The Nawanager State officials have received thousands l . of messages of condolence from all parts of the world in connection with Jam Saheb’s death, including all Indian Princes. Duileepsirhji, whose* popularity is very marked and whom many regard as an ideal ruler, bad been summoned from Europe to attend the funeral ceremonies. Fourteen davs mourning has been ordered in the Nawanagar State. Rajkumar Digvijsinhji, (who succeeds Rangitsinhji. is the elder brother of Duleepsinhji.