MANY EXECUTIONS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 43, 30 November 1940, Page 6

MANY EXECUTIONS

GRAVE DISORDERS IN RUMANIA.

ON THE VERGE OF CIVIL WAR.

* IRON GUARD AND CABINET

(United Press Association —-Copyright) LONDON, November 29.

General Antonescu, the Rumanian dictator, is conferring with the leaders of the Iron Guard after conferring with the military chiefs. The Iron Guard declares they will oppose the formation of a military Cabinet.

The Government has ordered troops from the provinces to the capital to assist in maintaining order. In spite, of the obscurity of the situation, the Rumanian censor, who deleted 525 words from one message to the Associated Press of Great Britain and treated other correspondents similarly, has authorised reports which give a gruesome picture of anarchy and chaos, with General Antonescu struggling hard, with German aid, to restore order. A state of emergency was proclaimed throughout Rumania to-night, and one report from Bucharest states that civil war seems to be imminent. ' It is learned that 20 additional supporters of King Carol have been executed at Ploesti. The blood-bath was given a new touch with the revelation that many victims were bludgeoned to death with pickaxes. It is reported that 26 members of the Iron Guard- committed suicide after participation in the murders!

Public Buildings Guarded.

Thousands of members of the Iron Guard entered Bucharest to-day bytrain, lorry and ear. All public buildings are guarded and alt Germans in Bucharest are mobilised for action. The Bucharest correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain states that the Iron Guard’s power is indicated hy the election of M. Radu Mironovici, as chief officer, after the Iron Guard had refused to accept two of General Antonescu’s nominees. High Rumanian officers are threatening to resign unless the perpetrators of the murders are severely punished. The Budapest correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says proof that the executions are continuing is contained in the discovery of the body of M. Virgil Madearu, a noted economist and former Cabinet Minister. M. Madearu was shot dead near Bucharest.

The German newspapers . briefly report the bare facts under such headings as “Codreanu’s Murderers Shot by Legionaries.” General Keitel, Chief of the Supreme Command of the German armed forces, is reported to have flown to Bucharest. The correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” on the Rumanian frontier suggests that young Fascists were used during General Antonescu’s absence from the capital in order to show the world that the authorities are unable to control the country without German aid. The, Latest Victims. The latest victims in the Iron Guard’s vengeance purge include an eminent professor. Dr. Jorga, who was at one time tutor to King Carol, when he was Crown Prince. Dr. Jorga was taken from his home last night, and his body, riddled with bullets, was found this morning on a road near Ploesti, in the centre of the oil district. Dr. Jorga, who was Rumanian Premier in 1931, once brought a libel action against M. Codreanu. Indignation and disgust at the reign of terror instituted so soon after Rumania’s linking up with the Axis, are sweeping the country, feeling being particularly high in the Army. The Rumanian Army is standing hy in readiness for any eventuality, and Cabinet is sitting almost continuously. Important changes among officials are expected'. ' t M. ifm Condreanu, father of the dead Iron Guard leader, is reported to have been arrested following a threat against the present Administration. The Budapest correspondent of the Associated Press of America states that General Antonescu is reported to bo considering his resignation if the legionaries are not restrained. M. Bratianu, a former leader of the Liberals, and M. Amandi, a former Minister' for Justice, have also been murdered.

The legionaries are a rebellious wing in the Iron Guard. M. Condi’eanu may be the leader of this wing, the members of which include a number of priests. The legionaries themselves informed the police of the executions, but none was detained, not even for questioning. They dumped the bodies of their victims in the prison grave from which the bones of members of the Iron Guard had previously been taken.

Bands of Green Shirts had driven Jews from their shops and synagogues in Braila.

Comment im Rome.

General Antoncscu has issued a decree providing death penalties for wilful murder and robbery if more than. £IOOO is involved. The decree which was hastened to coyer any future attempts by unauthorised persons to take the law into their own hands also provides a penalty of from five to 10 years’ hard labour for kidnapping and breaking info private premises. The Rome paper “Popolo di Roma described the Bucharest executions as unjustified and added that this action was not legal and was contrary to iGoneral Antoneseu’s political tendencies. Reports from American correspondents indicate that more German troops are moving in to join those that have been in the country for some months. It is an opportune time for Germany to assume complete control of Rumania. A message from Bucharest states that public buildings al e being guarded by troops.