Evening star., 1935-07-14

IN UCHAREST (N.A MAJ Carol
- II, royal playboy of Europe,
has settled down to the Sc
- rious business of being king.
The handsome heir 10 the Rumanian
branch of the house Of Hohenzollern,
who was recalled five years ago to
the throne he renounced for the care-'
free life of a commoner. employs his
time and energies now in ruling one
of the wealthiest and most politically
strategic countries of Eastern Europe.
Seated behind the bus!ness-like desk
of his private study in the royal pal
ace at Bucharest. he said:
Unlike most kings, like my job.
I wouldn't exchange 1t for any other.
There is not much chance for re-
Taxation. Whenever I do take an
occasional holiday. I orive my car
straight out to my little house in
the Carpathian Mountains. I detest
cities. My chief diversion Is shooting,
which keeps me physically fit. I do
not care for drinking or dancing. But
I enjoy books and music. My work,
however, yields me the greatest salts
faction. 1t is good to be useful"
Wanderlust Curbed.
The old wanderlust tormentS him
no longer. During the half decade Of
his sovereignty the jebonaire young
ruler, who played in all the gay capi-
tails of Europe, has not once travelled
beyond the boundaries OF Rumania.
Sometimes" he confessed, Il get
restless to move about bit. But that
is not important. I have learned, you
see, to be patient"
Though he will be 43 in October,
the King looks as young and fit as q
college athlete. A shock of blond
hair falls boyishly over his forehead.
The eyes are an extraordinary blue,
an intense, concentrated color. He
is tall, strongly built. He was wear
ing the white duck uniform Of the
commander in chief of the Rumanian
armies.
II do not like palaces" he said. II
prefer a snug little house of my own
where, when my work is over, can
putter around like schoolboy."
Lives in Small Dwelling.
Despite his large annual income
(said to be more than $500,000) the
Rumanian monarch lives in the two
story dwelling he built for himself
at the rear of the ostentatious palace.
Here he and his son, the Crown
Prince Michael, maintain bachelor
apartments. The decorations and
furnishings are of the Kings per-
sonal selection.
Il like to have my own things
around me-" he said. They must be
simple, but beautiful"
His majesty keeps to rigid sched-
ule. His philosophy nowadays hinges
on one tenet, work-for himself, his
governmental advisers and his people.
He rises At Z, shaveS himself during
his bath by means of a special ap-
paratus attached to his bath tub. He
breakfasts alone with Michael. His
morning is spent comforting with his
ministers on affairs of state, in which
he takes an active interest. After a
simple two-course luncheon he re-
turns to the palace for an afternoon
of special audiences. Except when
state functions interfere, he lunches
and dimes with his son and few Of
the princes young companions. A
stroll in the palace gardens, then
he retires.
Unlike most kings, this ruler makes
no attempt to evade political queries.
What does your majesty think of
as a form of govern
ment?" he was asked.
Il certainly do not think that as a
direct form of government it is good.
I consider dictatorship an accident,
at best an emergency measure"
War Held Inevitable.
Asked If he thought war was i'm
he said:
Il do not see any real crisis for
some years to come. A great war
breaks suddenly, not when there is
a great deal of talk about it. While
do not think any individual or
nation wants war, I believe it IS in
evitable. It is natural part of life"
In spite of pledge to the contrary,
Nine. Magda Lupescu, for whom Carol
once renounced wife, child and throne,
has returned to Bucharest. Although
she continues to exert q strong in
huence over the life of Carol, never
has romance been conducted with
such dignity and discretion. She lives
in seclusion in her white granite palace
on the Alea Zoe. Two months are
spent in her own villa at Sinaia, where
the King also has a Summer resi-