Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 March 1918 — WILSON AS POTENTATE [ARTICLE]

WILSON AS POTENTATE

Gypsies Turn to President When Deadlocked on King. Wrangling Over Election of Successor to Late Ruler, They Adjourn Without Making Choice. Berkeley, Cal. —The Gypsy world has a new potentate. He Is President Woodrow Wilson. To him fifteen hundred representatives of the wandering tribes have pledged their fealty. Assembled to elect a king,, they have split up into factions and are wrangling over the candidate who shall succeed his late Majesty Alexander, who died several months ago at Sacramento. But while undecided as to whom they should choose to pledge their allegiance,the Gypsy delegates are united in the admission that no matter howstrong may be their attachment to kingly rule, they and their sovereign must bow to the president of the Uxiited States. r In automobiles, in Pullman palace

cars, in buggies and wagons and old “prairie schooners” the Gypsies came from all parts of the country. For weeks they have been loitering in northern California. Queen Mary, widow' of'the late king, objected to the balloting for his successor, claiming that she was entitled to rule. The necessity for having a male hand at the helm was pointed out. Then there arose Michael Adams,

sixteen-year-old nephew of the deceased sovereign, but the leaders proclaimed him but a boy. “A man must rule,” became their slogan. “Woman has the vote. Why should woman not reign?” said the queen. Agreement was impossible, and the Gypsies decided that there could be no lawful selection of a new ruler u»til the body of good King Alexander should repose in an appropriate mausoleum. A large delegation packed their tents, started their automobiles, "checked out” at their hotels and departed.