VAST IRON GUARD VENGEANCE PURGE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 283, 28 November 1940, Page 7

VAST IRON GUARD VENGEANCE PURGE

MANY EXECUTIONS.

Political Prisoners Shot In Rumania. 1 niteil Press Association. —Copyright. (Reed. 11 aan.) LOXDOX, Xov. 27. The Iron Guard, says a Bucharest message, shot dead 64 political prisoners, including M. Argesheanu and M. Marinescu, and also the Secret Service Chief, M. Morozow, and M. Stefaneseu, former Chief of Police. The executions are apparently the beginning of a vast Iron Guard vengeance purge. Many other notable persons have been arrested, including M. Gigurtu, former Prime Minister; l)r. Argetoianu, former Cabinet member; and General Ilasievic, the last Chief of ex-King Carol's Military Cabinet. The Berlin news agency describes M. Argeshea nu as the man ordering the 'deaths of countless innocent Legionaries after the death of the Iron Guard leader, Codreanu, in September, 1939. It adds tjiat M. Marinescu was an accomplice of M. Morozow, who controlled the espionage service for ex-King Carol. One general, two majors and one policeman who allegedly ordered and supervised the Codreanu shooting, were also executed, in addition to 14 policemen who carried out the shooting. The ringleaders, who subsequently reported the executions to General Antonescu, the Prime Minister, have surrendered. The Rome newspaper "Giornale d'ltalia" stated that the executions, whose instigator is unknown, were carried out before Codreanu's tomb was opened. COMMUNICATION CUT. (Reed. 1.30 p.m.) ZURICH, Xov. 27. Telephonic communication between Switzerland and Rumania is impossible due to an extensive disturbance affecting the Bucharest exchange.