RUMANIAN ‘PURGE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 45, 2 December 1938, Page 5

RUMANIAN ‘PURGE

CAMPAIGN AGAINST FASCISTS.

ACTS OF INCENDIARISM, “PAINFUL STEPS NECESSARY. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Independent Cable Service). (Received This Day, 10.55 a.m.) BUCHAREST, December 1. Iron Guards set fire to ten houses and workshops at Czernowitz. Two persons were arrested.

The Government organ “Rumania,” indicates that the shooting of M. Condreanu (a former head of the Iron Guards, a Fascist organisation) was the culmination of a purge conducted by the political police throughout the country for several weeks. “The painful operation was necessary in view of the revived terror bv the former Iron Guards, which became a constant threat tq public order,” said the journal.

The police orders are: “Proceed with the greatest energy against all individuals committing acts of violence. Shoot down terrorists at sight. Maintain order at all costs. Policemen hesitating to shoot will be punished in accordance with the existing laws. Pamphlets addressed to King Carol were circulated in Bucharest yesterday, stating that as the Iron Guard has abandoned hope of reaching a peaceful solution of it's conflict with the Government it would adopt other measures. A number of Army officers suspected of Fascist sympathies have been relieved of their posts, including General Antonescu, a former War Minister, who commands the 3rd Army Corps.