King Michael Goes
The abdication of King Michael of Rumania in itself changes nothing. The whole country being under the domination of a purely Communist Government, put in office and kept in office by Russian support, even a puppet king would have been a complete anomaly. King Michael could not fail to recognise that, and he must have debated long as to whether he should return to his country after visiting England for the royal wedding. It is to his credit that he took what seemed the path of duty, even if deposition seemed to be at the end of it. Deposition in effect it no doubt is, for the abdication declaration, with its assertion that " the monarchical institution is a serious impediment in the way of the development of our country," was clearly drafted by other hands than the king's. Rumania thus breaks finally with its past and becomes, like Yugoslavia and Bulgaria, a "popular republic." This is all an essential part of the Soviet policy for creating a solidly Communist Eastern Europe. Though King Michael could have done nothing to check Communist control in his own country, and as a figure-head would have affected no one for good or ill, Com- munism was bound to consider " the monarchical institution a serious impediment " and take the necessary steps to end it. Whether action against King Michael personally is contemplated is doubtful, but the fate of M. Tatarescu and Dr. Maniu is of sinister omen. If the king is free to leave his country, he can marry the woman of his choice. And Rumania, purged of the last symbol of " reaction," will achieve whatever destiny Dr. Groza and his fellow- extremists may provide for it.
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