Kings, Etc.

Britain's George V ordered for self and Queen-Empress last week five superluxe motor cars, all 12-cylinder Daimlers. Total cost: $65,610. Smart Royal reason: "Their Majesties hope, by setting an example, to assist in relieving unemployment during the winter months."

Japan's Emperor Hirohito formally signed, ratified and impressed with his seal as "Son of Heaven" the London Naval Treaty (TIME, Aug. 4, et ante), thereby made it operative, as the U. S. and Britain have already ratified it.

Two days later the Sublime Emperor, reviewing a list of his superfluously numerous palaces and villas, ordered twelve sold. Reason: "An example of economy to all in these hard times."

Belgium's Albert after climbing up to a Swiss mountain inn, called for cafe au lait and a roll. Said His Majesty, suiting action to words, "Mmmm, I always like to dip my bread into my coffee at breakfast, but the Queen doesn't like it and only lets me do it when there is no one present but the family." Screamed Hearstpapers: IT'S OUT! THE KING IS A BUNKER!

Bulgaria's Boris Ill's engagement was announced in Rome at the office of Signer Benito Mussolini thus:

"Their Majesties the King and Queen [of Italy] are pleased to consent to the engagement of their daughter, Her Royal Highness the Princess Giovanna, with Boris III, King of the Bulgarians." (See p. 72.)

Since King Boris is Bulgarian Orthodox and Princess Giovanna is Roman Catholic, their matching has been obstructed by the Vatican for years. On behalf of Pope Pius XI it was denied last week that he had been asked to grant a special dispensation. While King Boris appeared to have won his main point, the marriage contract will provide that all children born to Princess Giovanna will be reared as Roman Catholics except the heir to the Throne who must, according to the Bulgarian constitution, be Bulgarian Orthodox.

A Bulgarian mob, wildly jubilant, carried their affianced King shoulder high through the streets of Sofia, severely trampled six small children.

Spain's Alfonso XIII ordered crown warrants issued for arrest on charges of lese-majeste of leaders of the "Republican Alliance," new and threatening federation of the largest of the 22 little Spanish "splinter parties" which have raged impotently for a Republic.

Siam's King Prajadhipok announced that he and curvesome Queen Rambai will sail incognito to the U. S. next spring for removal of a four-year-old cataract from one of His Majesty's eyes. Dr. E. H. van Hasselt, noted Dutch oculist now in Java, was rushed recently from there by airplane to Bangkok, recommended that the Royal eye be knifed at "a famous American clinic" not named last week in despatches (probably Johns Hopkins).

Arabian King Ibn Saud of Hejaz and Nejd last week avoided another operation on his ailing eyeballs (previous operation in 1926), received with joy a prescription for "more powerful glasses" from Dr. Abdul Hamid Bey Fahmy, Cairo specialist.

But 20 other members of the Royal Family, including the 25-yr.-old Crown Prince and three nephews of His Majesty who were treated for trachoma, last week kept Dr. Fahmy busy. He also removed a cataract from the eye of 70-yr.-old Emir Abdel Ibn Selim, Governor of Oniva.

Egypt's Fuad I, puppet of Britain, steamed toward Suez for the first time since he came to the throne 13 years ago. His creaky old yacht Mahrussa has a new steam siren, a screw propeller. She had paddlewheels 61 years ago when she escorted the flotilla led by Eugenie, Empress of the French, to the opening of the Suez Canal.

As she came abreast of Gebel Miriam, where Turks were turned back in 1915 and Egypt saved from ravishment, the Mahrussa's clanking engines were slowed to conserve steam for another purpose. At fat King Fuad's command (when the steam gauge showed sufficient pressure) his siren shrilled, shrieked a salute.

Clanking on to Suez, the Mahrussa waited at anchor while His Majesty immaculately dedicated in the suburbs a greasy $6,000,000-oil basin, augury of future Egyptian prosperity.

Greece's Georgios II who enjoys the rank of king chiefly at the British Court (being a great personal favorite of George V) told London reporters: "Mark my words. Sooner or later I shall resume my Throne [not sat on for seven years]. . . . My return to Greece will carry predominance for no party. . . . I shall know no victors or vanquished, my duty as King being above all to achieve the advent of national solidarity."

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