MONARCH RETIRES

Wairarapa Age, 5 March 1935, Page 7

MONARCH RETIRES

ADDICTION OF THE KING OF SIAM. AFTER UNSUCCESSFUL FIGHT FOB DEMOCRACY. NO SUCCESSOR INDICATED. LONDON, March 3. The King of Siam has abdicated. His abdication was signed on Saturday, at Cranleigh, in Surrey. The ex-King and Queen of Siam now desire to be known as Prince and Princess Sukhodaya. The announcement of the 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 the correspondents waiting: "Well, it’s all over. The King is King no more. His feelings are describable as a sad relief, though it is a blow to abandon the throne after an unsuccessful fight for democracy. He desires rest. He will temporarily deny himeelf visitors. His future plans are uncertain, but he has said his last word regarding Siam. “Prince Sukhodaya stays in Surrey, where he is leading the life of a country gentleman, until June, after which he may go to Europe.” In the course of a chat, the ex-King, wearing a sports suit, accompanied by the ex-Queen, deprecated “the silly habit” of referring to him as “brother of the moon,” and as “possessor of the twenty-four umbrellas.” The abdieatory document, which, is addressed to nobody in particular, is merely a general statement of the situation. It reviews events since the coup de’etat of 1932 and the ex-King’s difficulties with the parties in power. 'The document does not indicate a successor to the throne.

The Siamese delegation which attempted to dissuade him from abdicating will shortly return to Siam.