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More than 50 Rumanian lawyers courted popularity last week by offering their services free to defend a citizen jailed for lese majeste to King Carol II.

The citizen, Professor Fortescu, president of the Rumanian High School Teachers' Association, had not accused His Majesty of mere immorality, royal peccadillos being taken for granted at Bucharest. Instead Professor Fortescu had made himself spokesman for a charge which has smoldered in Rumanian public opinion these many months. In a bold speech, three weeks ago, he accused his Sovereign of packing the highest offices of the State, the Civil Service and the Municipality of Bucharest "with men whose chief qualification, if it can be called such, is that they are favorites of the King!"

Male Pompadours have become such an issue in Rumania that police could scarcely keep back last week an excited throng which cheered Professor Fortescu as he was brought before the Bucharest High Court.

"My client spoke in the interest of Rumania and of our King himself," argued counsel for the defense. "Is it not significant that after his speech he was not arrested but was invited to the Royal Palace? He there repeated to King Carol his well meant admonitions, now made the basis of a charge of lese majeste. . . .

"Since, during the years of His Majesty's exile, my client agitated for his return to Rumania, it is not surprising that the King heard him through to the end, seemingly with emotion. ... It was not until two days ago--not until my client's speech was published--that charges were preferred."

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