Imperial Valley press., 1927-07-20
REIGN OF
TROUBLED.
Late King Took Throne
Shortly After Start of
World War.
QUEEN REAL RULER
Carols Action Thought TO
Have Hastened His
Fathers Death.

The fate of Ferdinand of Rouman-
ia, who died today, was to govern
a kingdom in the Balkans during
the most turbulent and uncertain
years of modern history. He came
to the throne October II, 1914, a
little more than two months after
Europe armies began moving in
the greatest war in history.
He was accompanied by the beau
tiful woman known throughout the
world now as Marie of Roumania,
an English Princess who slipped
into the intrigue Of southeastern
European politics so wholehearted-
ly that her will finally became one
of the determining factors in the
Balkans.
Ferdinand succeeded his uncle,
King Carol. as King Ferdinand l.
Carol had selected his HOhenzOl-
lern nephew for the difficult task
of governing. Roumania had been
established only SO years when the
war began. England, Germany,
Russia and France created it in the
treaty of Berlin in 1873.
Despite the Hohenzollern blood in
Ferdinand's s veins, Queen Marie was
able to keep Roumania out Of tho
war on the side of the Central pow
ers and finally put Roumania in the
war on the side of the allies.
War Aided Roumania
That was the biggest thing that
ever happened to R0uniafiia- ia-edtet
| ing the war. 1t won for Marie
Russia, which had gone Bolshevik
during hostilities, and Marie was
honored for the personal sacrifices
and diplomatic ability which en-
abled her to win new dignity and
wealth for Roumania.
Ferdinand was a weak monarch
| and never loOmed so large as his
able queen. Also, he was old. The
bearded prince was 50 years old in
1914 and 72 when he died. Physr-
cally, he was not strong during his
later years and recently his illness
lad been such that false reports CT
his death from intestinal cancer
frequently / ave been printed.
Marie was ten years Ferdinand'a
junior ani had the further advam-
tase of mind that kept her young
despite advancing years. The MIR
riage scarcely could have been term
Ell n love m,.".l.
Domestic difficulty probably
hastened Ferdinand s death. In No
vembcr. 1925, his eldest son, Carol,
heir to the throne and the father of
a four year old son, went to Lon
don to represent the Roainanian
Court at the funeral of the late
Queen Mother Alexandra. Caro-,
did not return. He was found sew.
eral weeks later at Milan. Italy,
accompanied by Nine. Magda Lu.
pescu, with whom he since lived.
Carol Renounces Throne
With surprising suddenness it
was announced that Carol had writ
ten his father, renouncing success
sion to the throne. The ROumanian
parliament elevated OaIOl son,
Prince Michael, to the position of
Crown Prince.
The true story behind Carols
flight has not been divulged. 1t
was alleged that he objected to his
mothers friendship for Colonel
Prince Stirbey and had struck the
Prince during n quarrel at the Pal
ace.
Queen Marie arrived in the Unit
ed States in the autumn of last
year for a swing around the circle.
in which she expected to travel
10000 miles.
The journey was attended with
considerable unfavorable publicity
and before the trip was completed.
Ferdinand 3 illness became acute
and his Queen was summoned TO
curtail her visit. Occasionally since
Marie returned to Bucharest, Fer
dinand has appeared in public. His
feebleness was self-evident.
During the latter part of March
Ferdinand became worse. From
then until his death today he lin
gered on, but it was known all the
while that death was imminent