New Britain herald., 1927-07-20
Took Throne in 1914

Took Throne in 1914
King Ferdinand assembled the Ru
manian throne during the troublous
times shortly after the outbreak OF
the World War when his country
was greatly agitated regarding the
position Rumania was to take in the
conflict During the first two months
of the war Rumauia. under the rule
of the late King Charles, it was
charged, had been secretly aiding
the Central powers. Ferdinand took
the oath as king upon the death OF
his uncle in October, 1914, and i'm
mediately announced that Rumania
would remain neutral unless attack
ed.
During a speech from the throne
in November, 1915, King Ferdinand
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 gov
ernment's sympathy in the conflict.
Ferdinand and his predecessor haN-
ing been princes of the house of
Hohenzollern.
Letter From Kaiser
In August, 1915, the former Ger
man kaiser sent letter to King
Ferdinand informing him that it
was his intention TO send a SPECIAL
nilsson to Bucharest relative to Ru-
mana's position. The king replied
that such an act would be inoppor-
tune and since he was constitu-
tional 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 believed to have re-
suited from the influence of Queen
Marie, who was q princess royal of
Great Britain and Ireland. The
declaration by Rumania was follow
ed almost Immediately by Germany
declaring war against Rumania.
With his troops at the front King
Ferdinand's throne began to totter
fro intrigue charged against Ru-
manian politicians and German
agents, who planned to dethrone the
ruler and install German prince in
his place. There We're even plots
against the life of the king.
Difficult Position
Rumanias position in the war was
difficult one and after nearly two
years fighting two-thirds OF the
country was overrun by the enemy,
The Rumanians, isolated and with
out outside support were obliged to
accept drastic peace terms sent by
Germany with an ultimatum that
they be accepted in "a hours. The
collapse of the German army on the
western front and the armistice,
however, rendered the enforced
treaty between Germany and Ru-
mania ineffective.
Born in 1868
Ferdinand Victor Albert Mainrad
was born at Sigmaringen, August
"a, 1865, the son of Prince Leopold
of Hohenzollern and Antonio, In
fanta of Portugal. He was educated
in Germany and was an officer in
the German 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 a
series of renunciations. The heir pre-
sumptive of King Charles was his
elder brother, Prince Leopold OF
Hohenzollern-S igmaringen, who re-
nounced his rights in favor OF his
son, Prince Wilhelm. The latter in
turn resigned his rights in favor OF
his younger brother, Ferdinand.
King Ferdinand achieved consid-
cradle notoriety before his marriage
through a love affair with Mile.
Helene Nacaresco, a favorlte of the
then queen of Rumania. When mar
riage between Ferdinand and Prin-
cess Marie, daughter OF Alfred, Duke
of Edinburgh and later Duke OF
Sake Coburg was talked of, 1t was
said the Iiumanian queen was much
incensed and that Mile. Nacaresco
felt it so keenly that she sent Fer
dinand's love letters TO Princess
Marie. However, he married the lat
ter January 10, 1898.
Had Children
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 Iieana, born in 1908.
Although he took the oath as king
the day after the death of his
uncle, King Charles, in 1914, King
Ferdinand and his queen We're not
crowned until October. 1922. The
ceremonies took place at Albajulia.
On that occasion the crown used by
the late King Charles again was
pressed into service. 1t is made of