Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-20
KING FERDINAND IS DEAD:
GRANDSON PROCLAIMED RULER

uncle in October, 1914, and immedi-
ately announced that Rumania would
remain neutral unless attacked.
During a speech from the throne
in November, 1915, King Ferdina nd
was shouted down with cries of
Down with Hungary" Down with
Germany Down with the Hohen.
zollerns!' This demonstration was
taken as an indication of the govern
ment's sympathy in the conflict, Ferdi.
nand and his predecessor having been
princes Of the house of Hohenzollern.
In August, 1916, the former German
kaiser sent a letter to King Ferdi.
nand informing him that it was his
intention to send special mission to
Bucharest relative to Rumania's posi-.
ton. The King replied that such. an
act would be inopportune and, since
he was constitutional monarch, he
would be obliged to refer the envoy
to his ministers. A few days later
Rumania entered the conflict on the
side Of the allies by declaring war
against Austria. This action was be.
lieved to have resulted from the influ.
ence Of Queen Marie, who was prin.
cess royal Of Great Britain and Ire.
land. The declaration by Rumania
was followed almost Immediately by
Germany declaring war against Ru-
mania.
Plots Against Life.
With his troops at the front, King
Ferdinand's throne began to totter
from intrigue charged against Ru-
manian politicians and German
agents, who planned to dethrone the
ruler and install German prince in
his place. There were even plots
against the life of the King.
Ferdinand Victor Albert Mainrad
was born at Sigmaringen, August "a,
1865, the son of Prince Leopold of
Hehenzollern and Antonio, Infanta of
Portugal. He was educated in Ger
many and was an officer in the Ger.
man army. He was created a prince
Of Rumania by royal decree in 1889
and the path was cleared for his
ascension to the throne by series of
renunciations. The heir presumptive
Of King Charles was his elder brother,
Prince Leopold of Hohenzollern.S Sig
maringen, who renowned his rights in
favor of his son, Prince Wilhelm. The
latter in turn resigned his rights in
favor of his younger brother, Ferdi-
nand.
Had Previous Love Affair.
King Ferdinand achieved consider.
able notoriety before his marriage
through love affair with Mile. Helene
Vacaresco. a favorite of, the then
Queen Of Rumania. When marriage
between Ferdinand and Princess Mar
lie. daughter Of Alfred Duke of Edin-
burgh and later Duke Of Saxe-Coburg,
was talked Of, it was said the Ru.
manian queen was much incensed and
that Mile. Vacaresco felt it so keenly
that she sent Ferdinand's love letters
to Princess Marie. However he mar
ried the latter January 10, 1893.
The royal couple had six children,
one Of whom died in childhood. The
others were Crown Prince Carol, born
in 1898; Princess Elizabeth, born in
1894. and married in 1921 to King
George of Greece. who afterward
abdicated; Princess Marie, born in
1899 and married in 1922 to King
Alexander of Jugoslavia; Prince
Nicolas, born in 1908. and Princess
Ileana. born in 1908.
Although he took the oath as King
the day after the death Of his uncle,
King Charles. in 1914, King Ferdi.
nand and his Queen were not crowned
until October, 1922 The ceremonies
took place at Albajulia. On that oc.
casion the crown used by the late
King Charles again was pressed into
service. 1t Is made of steel from
Turkish guns captured at Plevna in
1e72s