AXIS ATTITUDE NOT DEFINITELY KNOWN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 154, 1 July 1940, Page 7

AXIS ATTITUDE NOT DEFINITELY KNOWN.

RUMANIA'S FATE.

Hungary And Bulgaria May

Halt Demands.

MINEFIELDS LAID.

(Received 1 p.m.) LONDON, June 30. Newe of the Russian move into (.he Rumanian provinces of Bessarabia and Bukovina is still confused, and there is as yet no definite indication of the attitude of Germany and Italy toward either the Soviet's action or the claims of Hungary and Bulgaria for revision of their frontiers with Rumania. -Ucecow announces the occupation of many towne, including Rend on the Danube, by parachute troops, mechanised column* and infantry. The Moscow radio stated: "The people of Bessarabia greeted the Red Army with bouquets, hugging and kiseing the soldiers and shouting: 'For 20 yeare we have waited for this day.'" An unconfirmed report from Bucharest eaye King Carol has gone to Rome to seek Italian backing againet Bulgaria and Hungary. The Russians are said to be proceeding according to plan to Rumania's 1014 northern border. The Bucharest correspondent of the Aesociated Prees of Great Britain says several Ministers met to-night to plan fc transfer of the Government to the foothills of west Rumania if necessary. Reutere' Bucharest correspondent reporte that mobilisation is still proceeding and adds that confidence is reviving concerning the attitude, of Hungary and Bulgaria, who have apparently postponed revisionist ambitions. Bucharest papers report that the Navy has mined Conetantn, on the Black Sea, and Sulina, on the Danube. Vessels going to Constanta or heading up the Danube nvist announce their arrival by radio and vwait several miles out for a pilot to conduet them through the minefields.

Influence of Axis Powers. • Germany and Italy, according to a message from Budapest, are reported to have pressed Bulgaria and Hungary to restrain their claims against Rumania. A general attached to the German Legation at Bucharest is said to have gone to Berlin with a Note from Rumania and a memorandum from the German Minister. An Italian agency reports that a column of Soviet tanks, which had advanced beyond the agreed points was withdrawn to the stipulated line. It says the cession of territories to Russia has been completed and the evacuation of Rumanians is proceeding.

A high authority in Bucharest is reported to have Germany and Italy have assured Rumania that they will prevent further Soviet advances.

It was officially denied in Bucharest yesterday that there had been fighting between Russian and Rumanian troops.

The meeting of the Rumanian Parliament has been postponed until Monday. Excitement is mounting over possible further claims, and the police have taken action to prevent demonstrations against Hungary.

It is announced from Moscow that Russian parachuti«ts occupied Bolgrad, 30 miles north of the Danube, and Reni, on the Danube downstream from the port of Braila. Troops entered Storojinet and occupied the railway stations at Sulita and Lipcani. Mechanised columns have reached Parliti and also the Pruth River, 35 miles south-west of Otaci. They occupied Akkerman, a port near the mouth of the Dniester River, on Friday.