Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-20
BALKAN AFFAIRS
IN SERIOUS STATE
Ferdinand's Death Puts Ru-
mania in Critical Posi-
ton Internally.
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.

BY Cable 10 The Star and Chicago Daily
News. Copyright. 1927.
LONDON, July 20.-The death early
this morning of King Ferdinand OF
Rumania occurred at critical period
in the affairs of the Balkans, when
things were much unsettled.
The King. feeling the end was near
and realizing that former Crown
Prince Carols friends might try to
upset the regency and bring his son
back. intrusted the government to
Premier Bratiano, who although he
has the reputation of being ruthless,
at least has the advantage Of being
the only strong man in Rumania.
Grandson Named King.
Ferdinand's 5-year -old grandson,
Michael, has been proclaimed King.
under the regency of his uncle. Prince
Nicholas; the Archbishop of Rumania
and the chief justice of the Supreme
Court
King Ferdinand undoubtedly will
be mourned by his subjects. Although
not Rumanian-he was summoned
to the country by his late uncle. King
Carol, whiles serving as lieutenant in
quickly the language and customs of
his new fatherland
Ferdinand assembled the throne
under the most difficult circumstances
In 1914, when the central and allied
powers We're using all the crafty
tricks diplomacy possesses to draw
Rumania in on either side in the
great war. The King, a proud Ger.
man at heart. did not hesitate when
in 1916 he had to choose between his
sentimental inclinations, which were
with Germany, and the interests of
Rumania, which demanded co.opera-
ton with the allies.
Nation Soon Defeated.
Rumania was overrun and defeated
In less than year. and ii appeared
that the King-threatened by the
bolshevikS on one side and by the
angry Germans on the other-might
lose his throne. He prevented the
bolsheviks from gaining the upper
hand by giving the Rumanian
peasants land they never before had
possessed, and set an example by al
lowing the government to divide the
vast crown properties among them
The danger of bolshevism induced
the Kaiser to permit his "treacherous"
nephew to preserve his crown, and
when the central powers were de-
feated, the lucky Ferdinand saw him.
self sovereign not Of country of
100000 people. but of largely in
creased territory with some 100000
subjects.
The situation, however, was difficult.
The new Rumania was formed from
territory taken by force from Russia
and Hungary, and both neighbors,
especially Russia, were looking for
propitious moment to get back what
they had lost. Bolshevik intrigues,
linked with maladministration by Rus.
sian officials, caused discomfort in the
new provinces, but the prestige of the
monarch kept things in order.
New Era of Trouble Opens.
Ferd:nands death opens an era of
trouble for Rumania. The young
sovereign will be guided by Rumanian
politicians. and the misdeedS of Off
Gals will have greater repercusSions
in the annexed territories than during
Ferdinand's reign. The army. which
stood by the King, has much SYM
pathy with the exiled Crown Prince,
whom many Of the officers would like
to see back. The Rumanians, while
realizing the light heartedness Of the
former Crown Prince, which they at
tribute to his exuberant youth, would
prefer to have a man, even of his
type. instead Of a child, entirely in
the hands Of politicians. They argue
that Ferdinand himself had his own
romantic love affair when he was the
young heir to the throne. yet he made
q desirable monarch.
Rumania's enemies are closely
watching developments and preparing
to jump at her throat at the first
opportune moment.