THRONE OF RUMANIA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 September 1940, Page 5

THRONE OF RUMANIA

KING CAROL ABDICATES SUCCEEDED BY CROWN PRINCE. OUTCOME OF WIDESPREAD DEMONSTRATIONS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, September 6. King Carol of Rumania abdicated at 5 o’clock this morning and has been succeeded by the Crown Prince Michael, who look the oath later this inorning. He thus becomes King for the second time. Events leading up to the abdication are described in agency messages. These say that the demonstrations in Bucharest became so widespread that the new Premier. General Antonescu, ultimately went to the Palace and urged King Carol to abdicate. In a final proclamation King Carol said he had taken this action in the hope of lessening the dangers facing Rumania. He urged the people to put their faith in the new King. Some reports say that King Carol is expected to arrive in Switzerland shortly. Prince Michael became King 12 years ago at the age of six years, when his father renounced the throne and went to live in Paris with Madame Lupescu. He returned in 1930. Bucharest gave him a great welcome, and he was proclaimed King, and his marriage to Queen Helene was annuled. It is' stated that Queen Helene is returning to Bucharest to join the new King. ACTION BY DICTATOR ARMISTICE WITH INSURGENT IRON GUARDS. AFTER PITCHED BATTLE NEAR PALACE. LONDON, September 6. General Antonescu announced an armistice with the insurgent Iron Guards. He is reported to have told King Carol that there was a general demand for his abdication, and demanded that Carol solve the crisis. The Bucharest correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says General Antonescu was closeted with King Carol at the Royal Palace early in the morning. He was reported to be demanding Carol’s abdication at the request of the Rumanian leaders, who. according to informed sources, threatened an immediate armed rising unless he relinquished the throne. Confused reports from Bucharest suggest that at least two demonstrations occurred, the first against General Antonescu, the second against King Carol. The police clashed with the demonstrators. Machine-guns and fire like that of artillery were heard. The police announced that shots they fired in the air hit spectators on balconies, wounding some, but not hitting the demonstrators. However, the correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain says that when a crowd of General Antonescu’s supporters refused to disperse the police fired on them, killing a demonstrator and injuring several persons. A pitched battle between the police and Iron Guard members raged for an hour near the Royal Palace. The police members of the Iron Guard were shouting anti-Carol slogans and seized an armoured car equipped with powerful hoses, with which they wrecked dozens of windows. The Iron Guards dismantled kerbside safes, throwing the steel chairs at the police. The police and troops charged the surging crowds with fixed bayonets, firemen hosed them and tanks moved them on. The police and the troops occupied the streets, from which civilians were prohibited.

The evacuation of Cluj is almost complete, but a “death legion” is reported to have been formed in Oradea. Its members number 3000 and are pledged to resist the occupation at all costs.

THE NEW KING RECEIVED WITH LOYAL DEMONSTRATIONS. QUEEN HELENE RETURNING TO RUMANIA. (Received This Day, 9 a.m.) BUCHAREST, September 6. King Michael took the oath: “I swear to preserve the heritage of Rumania, her frontiers and integrity.” This oath was taken at 9.28 a.m. King Michael signed a docufnent investing General Antonescu with full dictatorial powers. The populace are demonstrating their loyalty and thousands of people marched to the palace and also to the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, carrying flags and photographs of King Michael. Queen Helene, it is reported, is going to Bucharest from Italy immediately. Ex-King Carol, in a proclamation, declared that he was abdicating in order to end the disturbance and unrest to which Rumania had been subjected. APPEALS TO PEOPLE EX-KING’S PROCLAMATION OF FAREWELL. (Received This Day, 9 a.m.) BUCHAREST. Septembre 6. General Antonescu left the Royal Palace at 3 a.m. and conferred with Army officers. In the meantime, steelhelmeted soldiers replaced the gendarmes guarding the palace, where the abdication occurred later in the presence of General Antonescu, who, in a communique, issued an appeal to the nation to: “Forget the past and work round our beloved young King.’’ Ex-King Carol, in a proclamation, said: “I have decided to abdicate in face of the misfortunes which have befallen the country. I hope by this sacrifice to save my country. I give my dear son to the country and hope it will surround him with love and fidelity, so that he can execute the serious tasks which have been placed on his young shoulders.” OPINION IN BERLIN (Received This Day, 9 a.m.) LONDON, September fi. The Associated Press of Great Britain’s Berlin correspondent says the

abdication has caused surprise. Nazi circles said Ex-King Carol had never enjoyed the confidence of all Rumanians, and his son's elevation to the throne will be a great advantage to Rumania. It is reported that Ex-King Carol is proceeding to Switzerland on a later day.