PRISONERS SHOT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 44, 1 December 1938, Page 5

PRISONERS SHOT

RUMANIAN IRON GUARDS.

ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE FAILS. CARS AMBUSHED IN A. FOREST. (United Press Association—Copyright,) (Receved This Day, 10 a.m.) BUCHAREST, November 30. Fourteen former members of the Iron Guard (a Fascist organisation), including Corneliu Condreanu (former leader), and the murderers of Duca Stalescu in 1933, were shot dead when trying to escape while being transported from a Moldavian prison to the military gaol at Bucharest. The prisoners’ cars were ambushed in a forest by Condreanu’s supporters. The prisoners jumped from the cars, hut were shot by the guards as they fled.

OPENING OF BITTER STRUGGLE.

INTENSIFIED FASCIST ACTION

(Received This Day, 11.0 a.m.) LONDON, November 30

The British United Press correspondent in Bucharest says the shooting of M. Codreanu is believed to mark the reopening of a /hitter fight between ICing Carol’s Authoritarian regime and Iron Guards.

“The Daily Telegraph’s correspondent at Bucharest says that, the attempted rescue is believed to have been part of intensified activities by the Iron Guard. The imprisoned leaders had been moved from prison in reqent weeks as a. result of suspicion of a plot to free them. Three hours • after-the shooting the bodies were buried without ceremony in Jilava fortress, 40 miles from the scene.

The circumstances of the shootings have created a painful impression. Immediate consequences are not likely because of the polioe and military precautions.

Corneliu Codreanu, was sentenced last May to 10 years’ imprisonment with hard labour. He was tried by a military court on a charge of high treason. The indictment charged him with having prepared for a revolution with the support of a foreign Power. The indictment mentioned letters addressed to foreign organisations by Rumanian Nazis, announcing that an economic and political alliance would be concluded immediately the Iron Guard had seized control. A month previously M. Codreanu was sentenced to imprisonment tor six months on a charge of slander. Thousands of Fascists were arrested tor having, it is alleged, plotted to overthrow the State.