Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-20


News. Copyright. 1927.
VIENNA, July 20.-Martial law
has been declared in Rumania, fol-
lowing the death of King Ferdi-
nand, according TO reliable dis
patches from Bucharest. just re-
ceived here.
By the Associated Press
BUCHAREST, Rumania. July 90
King Ferdinand of Rumania, long
failing in health, died at 2:15 o'clock
this morning.
The monarch's long and courageous
battle with that dread malady-can-
cer--came to a close at the Chateau
de Pelishor at Sinai. the Summer resi-
dence of the Rumanian royal family.
Prince Michael, young son Of former
Crown Prince Carol. will be proclaim
Ell King of Rumania to succeed his
grandfather at 4 o'clock this after.
noon, it was announced early today.
Prince Michael, whose mother is
Princess Helen Of Greece, was born
October IS, 1921, and was created heir
apparent on December 81, 1925, on his
fathers renouncing his rights to the
succession. Some time ago regency
council was appointed for Prince Mi
Chael, the regency consisting of Prince
Nicholas, 23-year-old son Of King Fer
dinand. the patriarch of Rumania and
the chief justice of the Supreme Court.
"Very Tired" Are Last Words.
II feel very tired" King Ferdinand
breathed as he sank into Queen
Marie's arms on his death bed today. |
Those We're his last words, for his
eyes closed and death came almost
Instantly.
The end came with suddenness. but |
was peaceful in the extreme, the King |
closing his eyes calmly as if falling |
sleep. Members of the royal family |
were at his bedside, Queen Marie and |
their daughter, Queen Marie Of Ju
goslayia, having arrived before death
came Former King George Of Greece
and his wife, ElizaiJetisy sdaug liter Of
the Rumanian monarchs. also were
present.
Ferdinand's death had long been |
expected. and even the simple country |
folk. who loved him more as kindly |
father than as King, knew that the |
disease which he was so courageously |
battling would be fatal.
Many Reports of Death.
Recently rumors flew thick and fast |
and for days at time reports would |
spread like wildfire that he had finally |
died. These would meet official de-
NAL, and then encouraging reports |
would follow-that the King was re- |
ceiving visitors daily, that his condi- |
tion was steadily improving, that he |
was able to take part in councils of |
state.
But these favorable reports failed |
to deceive and the blow that fell to- |
day was long feared and long ex-
pected.
Ferdinand the Loyal" was what the |
allies called him during the trying |
days of the World War and "Ferdi- !
nand the Loyal was what he re. |
mained to his own people, who, un- |
disturbed by the dynastic politics that |
troubled the. upper strata of Ru |
manian society, looked to the King to |
lead them through the unhappy post |
war years to contentment and plenty. !
1t was Ferdinand's strong will, say |
those who knew him, that put death |
off for so long time.
Hoped to See Son.
Last year, just after Queen Marie's |
hurried return from her visit to the |
United States, his physicians gave
him up for lost, but the King was
firm in the hope that he might help
to place his country on a stable polit-
ical basis despite factional disputes
and conflicts among powerful inter.
ests and clung to life. Then, too. say
friends. he hoped to see once more
before death came his wayward son
Carol, "the madcap of the Balkans"
whom his parental discipline had sent
into exile.
His physicians urged him TO go
abroad to a warmer climate to give
nature chance to assist their own
healing efforts, but dynastic and po.
lticai elements played their part and
Ferdinand decided to remain in Blu.
charest, sacrificing himself rather
than, as he thought, sacrificing his
country.
From time to time there were indi-
ca tions that the physicians battle wa
having some effect and the cancerous
condition seemed alleviated in q meas
ure by applications of radium and 9TH
er treatments. Then the weakening
nature of his illness would be dem
onstrated and the royal patient would
again be forced to bed, once with
slight cold that threatened pneumonia
and again with stomach ailments.
Weighed Less Than 100 Pounds.
For months King Ferdinand's body.
sssailed by many maladies, has been
whitening away and his weight re-
duced 10 less than 100 pounds. Since
early Spring he has not been weighed.
"It would kill him to realize how his
body has shrunk," those close TO him
said, declaring that they doubted il he
weighed as much as 80 pounds.
One of the last acts of Ferdinand's
reign was TO bring about the creation
of a government under the Bratianos,
whom he trusted and who. with him.
were influential in swinging Rumania
alies-an act in which Ferdinand
flung himself against his own kin, for
he was a HohenZollern.
Only a few weeks ago Premier
hVerescu, to whom dictatorial dreams
We're credited in some circles, was re-
moved from the head Of the govern.
nent and a more inclusive government
was formed under Prince Stirbey, one
of the richest Rumanians and long a
favorite at court. to hold the reins
until the Bratianos were ready TO step
into power again.
Those who know Rumania are quite
unanimous in the conviction that the
regency for young Prince Michael,
Carols son. will rule as provided by
law. and that there is almost no pos
sibility of Carol ascending the throne.
Ills friends in Rumania are few and
az bok&een. II is said. and certainly