ROUMANIAN THRONE

Hokitika Guardian, 4 January 1926, Page 2

ROUMANIAN THRONE

PRINCE CAROL'S RENUNCIATION. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION LONDON, January 2. The Bucharct correspondent of the “ Daily Express ” .states that Prince Carol, of Roumania, is believed to be in Venice at present. One reason advanced for his renunciation of the succession to the throne of Roumania is that ho wishes to remarry, for which reason lie seeks a divorce from his present wife. This he would he unable to do while he remained heir to the Throne. The Prince, in a letter to the King, undertakes not to return to Roumania for six years. It is generality supposed that the Prince is anxious to re-mnrry Zizi Lamlirino, to whom lie is greatly attached.

The “ Daily Telegraph’s” correspondent 'states : A well-informed diplomatie quarter asserts that the Prince s action is not so closely associated with his morgnntic marriage as is popularly supposed. He gathers that the Prince s action was more immediately determined. or. at any rate, precipitated by events of a political and administrative character recently, when the question of cquipning the Poumanian A'ir Force with new planes was under consideration. Certain Departments were intent on purchasing machines from a certain power. The Prince being the titular head of the air service, disagreed. He eventually imposed his will, and accordingly the machines were ordered from another country. It appeared that the choice was dogged hy misfortune. One of the pilots was killed during the tests, while other machines proved to contain unsuitable engines. The thwarted authorities sought to make capital of these incidents, urging an official inquiry. The Prince strongly opposed, hut the Cabinet over-ruled his objection, and ordered an inquiry. These circumstances contributed in no small degree to the Prince’s resignation as Air Cmninander-in-Chief. together with his royal prerogatives. The engagement of Prince Carol and Princess Helen took place at Lucerne in November, 191 H. The “Daily Chronicle’s” correspondent, who was at Lucerne at the time, says that the couple 1 appeared to be happy lovers. He often met them walking by the side of the lake, or climbing hills, and they always were ann-in-ann. It is therefore difficult for those who saw them to believe that his renunciation is associated with matrimonial differences. IHTHAUKST, January 2. Prince Carol should have returned here after attending the funeral of Queen Alexandra in London, hut he went to Switzerland, whence he wrote to the King renouncing the throne and declining to return. A Crown Council met- on Friday, including the Cabinet members, the political and the Patriarch, and discussed tlu* question of a Hogency in the event of the King’s death, and also Prince Carol’s interference against the Government in political affairs.

One Minister. M. Hiott, who went to Switzerland in order to induce the Prince to change his mind, has returned with a definite written renunciation. It is now feared that complications will arise later from a possible pretender to the Throne, namely the Prince’s son bv Zi/i. who is also named Carol. BERLIN, Janaury 2. The resignation of M. Mandareseo, the Roumanian War Minister is announced. He has been publicly accused of irregularities in dealing with a Dutch Fokkor aeroplane concern. Prince Carol’s name is coupled with his. The Roumanian Parliament has been summoned for Monday, and revelations are expected. CAUSE A .MYSTERY. . LONDON, January 3. I lie cause of Prince Carol’s renunciation remains a mystery so far as direct information goes, but the reports indicate that serious political differences are a factor as well as love affairs. BERLIN, January 3. According to a report from Budapest M. Rratani lias tendered bis resignation. VIENNA, January 2. Che air is thick with rumours about the reasons for Prince Carol’s resignation. One, more probable than the rest, is that he came into conflict with the Government because recently a number of flying officers were sentenced hv courtmartial for buying useless aircraft from Holland. Prince Caro! protested against the sentences and ever since 1018 Prince Carol had deep political differences with hi.s parents and M. Brntani.