GREAT UNREST IN RUMANIA.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 44, 2 December 1940, Page 5

GREAT UNREST IN RUMANIA.

ACTIVITY BY IRON GUARD.

WIDESPREAD FIGHTING . (United Press Association —Copyright.) LONDON, November 30. Though the Rumanian Government claims to have restored order in the country, reports are still coming in of widespread lighting between the Iron Guard and Rumanian troops. One is an American story which tells of a pitched battle in the streets of Bucharest. Reports reaching the Hungarian frontier from Bucharest say that King Carol lias fled from Bucharest, and General Antonescu is seeking the support of Dr. Maniu, who led the resistance of the Peasant Party to the cession of Transylvania fo Hungary, and of the army commanders in maintaining control. Court officials in Bucharest, however, say that King Michael is still at the palace. Queen Helen went to Italy at her own wish. The Iron Guard legionaries who are alleged to be responsible for the first executions were not molested when they were returning from the Mass of M. Codreanu, although their arrest was predicted. The Free French News Agency in a message from Bucharest says that dissident members of the Hon Guard machine-gunned from a motor-car the Iron Guard headquarters, killing and wounding several executives. The Iron Guard has published a warning that it will defend its power against all comers. The Germans are dissatisfied with the economic administration of Rumania and envisage the establishment of a German protectorate. The size of the German force in Rumania is increasing rapidly. The Official German News Agency says that M. Codreanu and 13 members of the Iron Guard who were killed two years ago were reburied this morning in Bucharest. Wreaths were received from Herr Hitler, Signor Mussolini and the Fascist Party. Representatives of S'ignor Mussolini and General Franco were present, as well as the Spanish and, Japanese military attaches. The Supreme Court at Bucharest has quashed M. Codreanu’s conviction for treason.

German sources in Budapest report that General Antonescu’s decrees have not been enforced against the legionaries. but have virtually been repealed. A Jewish pogrom is reported to have occurred at Ploesti and Galata.

The Bucharest , correspondent of the British United Press says it is reported Without, confirmation that there have been 200 victims of the purge in Rumania. Diplomatic circles in Bucharest regard the arrival of a German mission for M. Codreanu’s funeral as connected with possible German intervention. Several divisions of the Rumanian Army have been dispatched to the capital, and army leaders have assured the Prime Minister (General Antonescu) of their loyalty. The German Chief-of-Staff (Field-Marshal Keitel) has also assured Rumania of continued collaboration, but at the same time Germany is openly a\%)wing the justice of the Iron Guard’s actions.

There are similar reports of trouble from the provinces of Rumania. In the Ploesti oil fields district guards ’have been placed on all post and telegraph offices following the series of assassinations, which, according to the (German authorities, have the full approval of the people." In spite of this German claim 6000 people watched the funeral of Dr. Jorga, a former Rumanian Prime Minister, although neither the hour nor the place of burial was announced.