RUMANIA IN AXIS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 38, 25 November 1940, Page 5

RUMANIA IN AXIS.

ACT OF REORIENTATION. SLOVAKIA SIGNS PROTOCOL. LONDON, November 23. With great ceremony at Herr Hitler’s Chancellery in Berlin, General Antonescu, the Rumanian Dictator, signed a protocal under which Rumania joins the German-Italian-Japanese Pact announced on September 27. Other signatories were the German Foreign Minister (Herr von Ribbeiitrop) and Signor Buti, chief of the political department of the Italian Foreign Office. !, Neutral journalists were present.

The protocal briefly records .that Rumania joins the pact. Her representatives will be admitted to the joint technical committees provided for in Article 4, as far as they are concerned with questions' affecting Rumanian' intcrests. The protocol * will operate from the time of its signature. ■' ' General Antonescu,; after signing it, made a declaration that, the protocol was no mere diplomatic formality, blit an act of reorientation for the Rumanian State. It was a contribution to the reconstruction of Europe and the world, besides the defence of modern civilisation which was. being safeguarded by the victory of States .united under the Three-Power Pact. National-Socialist Germany, Fascist Italy, and Imperial Japan would make compact and . indestructible- a bloc embracing a quarter of a*milliard people who had joined hands to establish a, better and juster order in the world.

It is also announced that Slovakia has joined the Axis, the protocol being signed by the Prime Minister , (Dr. Tuka). The Rome radio reports' that the Bulgarian Prime Minister (M. Ivan Popov) and the Foreign Minister (M. Bogdun Filov) are going to Berlin on November 25.

A message from Tokio says that the Foreign Office announced that Rumania had joined the Axis, a spokesman adding! “This is gratifying because it demonstrates that the efforts of Japan, Italy, and Germany are bearing fruit towards the realisation of a lofty ideal for a new world order and enduring peace based on justice.” The German Foreign Minister (Herr von Ribbentrop) and a detachment of Herr Hitler’s own bodyguard met the Rumanian delegation on its arrival and also escorted it to the railway station with full military honours after the conversations.

The 'Moscow radio has denied a report that Hungary’s adhesion to the Axis pact was brought about with the co-operation and full approval of the Soviet. The announcer stated that the report corresponded to the truth in no way whatever. Comment from London is that the development will do little to increase the German hold on Rumania, on whose soil are already several IGerman divisions and many experts on oil production.

As with Hungary, it is .fully recognised in London that Rumania’s adhesion to the Axis ,is a mere formality and without popular backing. With the peoples of both countries Britain has many , sympathetic ties, which will' inevitably be severely strained, but not- entirely dissolved, by this week’s events. - •