KING OF SIAM ABDICATES

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21414, 5 March 1935, Page 11

KING OF SIAM ABDICATES

* INFORMAL MANNER OF CONFIRMATION FORMER RULER RESTING IN ENGLAND (united press association— by electric telegraph—copyright.) (Received March 4, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 3. The King of Siam's abdication was signed at Cranleigh yesterday at 1.45 p.m.. and handed to the President of the National Assembly at the Legation in London at 4.30 p.m. It becomes effective immediately.

The former King and Queen of Siam desire to be known as Prince and Princess Sukhodaya. The announcement of the abdication was confirmed in a most informal manner by the former King's secretary, who, attired in flannels and a sports coat, entered the little sitting-room of Prince Sukhodaya's country home at Knowle Park and told newspaper correspondents: "Well, it is all over. The King is king no more. His feelings may be described as a sad relief, though it is a blow to abandon the throne after an unsuccessful fight for democracy. "He desires to rest and will temporarily deny himself visitors. His future plans are uncertain, but he has said his last word about Siam He will stay in Surrey, where he is leading the life of a country gentleman, until June, after which he may go to Europe." During a chat Die former King, wearing a sports suit, accompanied by the former Queen, dcprccat.ea the sillv habit of referring to him as Brother of the Moon and Possessor of the 2-1 Umbrellas. The abdicatnry document, which is addressed to nobody in particular, is merely a general statement of the situation It reviews the events since the coup d'etat in 1932 and the former King's difliculties with the parties in power. The document does not indicate the successor to the throne.

The Siamese delegation which attempted to dissuade the former King from abdicating will shortly return to Siam. SUCCESSOR TO BE FIGUREHEAD THRONE OFFERED TO VOI'NC PRINCE (Received March 4, 10 p.m.) LONDON, March 4. The Lausanne correspondent of the "Daily Mail" says that the Siamese Minister in Paris has offered tinthrone to Prince Ananda, the 11-year-old nephew of the former King. His mother, Princess Songkla, docs not object to his accession. Prince Ananda, who is being educated at Lausanne, intimated that he is ready to agree to the people's wishes. A message from Singapore says that the Siamese Government is determined that the King's successor will be a mere figurehead.