CIVIL DISORDER IS CONVULSING RUMANIA

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 64, 16 March 1944, Page 5

CIVIL DISORDER IS CONVULSING RUMANIA

TURKISH REPORTS

Panic Increases As Russian

Army Advances

N.Z. Press Association—Copyright Rec. 12.30 p.m. LONDON, Mar. 15,

According to reports from Turkey, civil disorder is convulsing Rumania and panic is increasing as the Russian Army drives towards the Balkans, only 25 miles from the Rumanian border.

Reports say that public services in Bucharest are paralysed by the prevailing confusion. Tram, train and road services are dislocated. The German Gestapo and the Rumanian police swooped on the main Bucharest railway station and rounded up many intending travellers for interrogation. The passengers were searched for uncensored letters and documents.

All Rumanian Black Sea ports are under martial law—a sequel to strikes by dockers and seamen, who are openly expressing sympathy for the oncoming Russians. Rumanian and German military leaders are reported to have met to plan a three-line defence system within Rumania to protect the Ploesti oilfields from the Russians.

Prince Stirbey's Mission

Prince Stirbey, the Rumanian peace envoy, spent his last day in Ankara before going to Cairo at the British Embassy, says Reuters Ankara correspondent. An official from the Embassy accompanied him to Cairo.

The Ankara correspondent of The Times says although Prince Stirbey does not officially represent the Rumanian Government, he is in close touch with Maniu. leader of the National Peasant party, and other political leaders. The fact that he was allowed to leave Rumania confirms the impression that the Prime Minister, Antonescu, approves of his mission. Therefore, in spite of the vagueness with which the mission is necessarily surrounded, it is genuine and has nothing in common with previous wholly unauthorised efforts to make contact with the Allies.

It is believed that Prince Stirbey's proposals are:—(l) The cession to Russia of Bessarabia and part of Bukovina; (2) a request for Russian assistance for the recovery of Transylvania; (3) guarantees for Rumania's independence and integrity. The main problem, however, will remain—the future of the German troops in Rumania.