Boris signs first decree as Ferdinand leaves the country

October 5, 1918

King Boris of the Bulgarians has signed his first decree demobilizing the Bulgarian army, according to a dispatch from Sofia,  reports the New York Times.
His father, King Ferdinand, has left Bulgaria.  Before he signed his "declaration of abdication," he received party leaders, "all of whom expressed approval of his decision."
Although the Bulgarian Cabinet offered its resignation to Boris, the new king expressed his confidence it it, and "asked the Ministers to retain their portfolios."
Prince Boris' accession to the throne "was received enthusiastically by the populace,"  according to another Sofia dispatch.  The bells of the church were rung in celebration.
The new king addressed a large crowd from the palace.  He said:  "I thank you for your manifestation of patriotic support.  I have faith in the good star of Bulgarian and I believe that the Bulgar people, by their good qualities and co-operation, are directed to a brilliant future."
Ferdinand's abdication was reported in Vienna and received "by way of Switzerland and Paris."  His popularity in Bulgarian had been "waning rapidly  since it became apparent to Bulgarians that he erred grievously in plunging the country into war on the side of the Teutonic Powers." It is also possible that his dethronement "may be due to Entente pressure," an analogous situation in Greece,  King Constantine abdicated after Entente influence there. 
King Boris, the eldest of Ferdinand's four children by his first wife, Princess Maria Luisa of Bourbon-Parma, was born on January 18, 1894.  He was received into the Orthodox church in February 1896, much to his mother's disappointment.  The late Princess Marie Louise was a devout Roman Catholic.  King Ferdinand was excommunicated by the Roman Catholic church for his decision to allow Boris to be rebaptized into the Orthodox faith.