Yugoslavia Proclaimed A Republic

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23372, 1 December 1945, Page 5

Yugoslavia Proclaimed A Republic

King Peter Loses Royal Rights Great Celebrations In Belgrade By Telegraph—N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright (Received 9.15 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 30. THE first meeting of the Yugoslav Constituent Assembly proclaimed a republic, to be known as the Federal People’s Republic of Yugoslavia. This means the abolition of the Monarchy, and King Peter and his dynasty will lose all royal rights. An indictment laid by the Assembly against the King claimed that, during the Nazi onslaught on Yugoslavia, he had neither the ability nor the will to organise resistance and had fled abroad, where he continually opposed the efforts of the Resistance Movement. King Peter’s salary will cease as a result of the proclamation of the Yugoslav Republic, says the “Daily Mail.” He is leaving London with his family and will live in the country to save what little money he has left. The King explained that he had helped so many of his exiled subjects that he had little money left. The “Daily Mail” says that the blocked Yugoslav balances in London previously provided for the payment of King Peter’s civil list, but the funds are now under the control of the new Republican regime.

The Belgrade radio reports great celebrations at the fall of the King. Tens of thousands are massing in Belgrade, clamouring to see Marshal Broz-Tito. The country will change the National Anthem, choosing a tune “expressing the will of a free people, not an alien Royalist tune.”

King Peter in an official statement declared that Marshal Broz-Tito introduced a totalitarian form of government in most striking contrast to the ideals of the United Nations and rushed through the elections long before the life of the country had reached any degree of freedom and stability. The Constituent Assembly's action declaring Yugoslavia a Republic was the result of a series of acts by Marshal Broz-Tito, which removed stch decision from the hands of the people and placed it entirely within ris owm and in those of the National Fnont.

The statement alleged that Marshal Bror-Tito broke the Tito-Subasic agreement to which the king had agreed at the express wish of the Allies. Marshal Broz-Tito had never made public letters relating to the resignation of Dr Ivon Subasic (head of the Royal Yugoslav Govenmenti, which charged Marshal Broz-Tito's regime with deceit and non-execution of the agreement and said: “The collapse of democracy in Yugoslavia and the ensuing catastrophe will not confine itself to that country alone." King Peter would accept the people's free decision on a different system of government but. meanwhile, would continue to try and liberate Yugoslavia from tyranny, no matter from whence it came.

Britain Recognises Assembly The diplomatic correspondent of “The Times" says: “It was stated here last night, that although some parts of the recent elections in Yugoslavia were • not satisfactory, the British Government regards them in the main as reflecting the popular will and will recognise the Constituent Assembly as an elected body with sovereign rights. Queen Marie, of Yugoslavia (the Queen Mother), issued the following statement: "My heart bleeds when I think that my people's valorous fight in the w-ar against tyranny left them with no possibility of freely expressing their will. They have never had less freedom than to-day, although even the citizens of enemy countries have been given the right to express freely their will. I hope the dav will come when mv people will also have the right to share the fruits of victory over tyranny and become free citizens, freed from fear.