ASSASSINATION IN BUCHAREST

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22823, 23 September 1939, Page 13

ASSASSINATION IN BUCHAREST

M. CALINESCU SHOT IRON GUARD MEMBERS EXECUTED (united press association—copyright.) (Received September 22, 2 p.m.) BUCHAREST, September 21. It is now disclosed that the „ Prime Minister of Rumania <M. Armand Calinescu) was assassinated this afternoon by members of the Iron Guard (“All for the Fatherland”) organisation. M. Calinescu had met with, considerable opposition because of his uncompromising .stand over Rumania’s attitude in the war. As M. Calinescu’s car was approaching a bridge, another car drove into it. Two other cars drew up, and the assailants fired through the windows, hitting M; Calinescu in three places, including an eye. He died while on the way to hospital. M. Calinescu’s aide was also killed and the chauffeur injured. The assassins then drove to the Bucharest radio t station, shot and wounded the doorkeeper. Then they seized the microphone and announced the assassination, declaring “Calinescu is dead.” Then technicians cut off the broadcast, but not before wild confusion and shooting .were heard, indicating that the unauthorised broadcaster had been attacked. Complete silence lasted for 15 minutes after the radio announcement. The Rumanian authorities ordered the cutting of all communication with outside countries and commenced a round-up of suspected persons. Eight men were arrested in connexion with the outrage, and two more committed suicide. The eight man arrested were executed by a firing squad on 'the spot where the crime was committed, the bodies remaining in pools of blood while thousands of onlookers filed past. Public Buildings Under Guard All important public buildings in Bucharest are under. heavy guard. Motorists and pedestrians leaving the city are stopped and searched for arms. There has been constant agitation in Rumania by the Iron Guard since Germany’s invasion of Poland. The Government suppressed news of the unrest, fearing international complications. . . The Rumanian police are taking strong measures against the possibility of civil strife in the event of the German troops reaching the Rumanian frontier.

General George Argesanu, commander of the Bucharest Army Corps, has been appointed Prime Minister. He is a former Minister for War, and is regarded as one of Rumania’s best soldiers. He is 56 years 6f age. General lon Ileus has been appointed Minister for War, and General Gabriel Marinescu, Minister for the Interior. The other Cabinet posts are unchanged. A Bucharest Government communique states that the assassination of M. Calinescu was'organised by a lawyer, M. Dimitrescu, who succeeded M. Codreanu as organiser of the Iron Guard. The Rumanian Cabinet has issued a proclamation condemning the “dastardly” assassination of M. Calinescu. It has been announced that the Rumanian Government has complete control of the situation and the whole country is quiet. A number of arrests have been made, designed to crush the Iron Guard, which is held responsible for the crime, Germany Blames Britain The police have also found, in the headquarters of Nazi operations, detailed instructions telling German sympathisers what attitude to adopt when German troops arrive on the frontier. The German Official News Agency says that the assassination of M. Calinescu was the work of British and Polish agents. The German trade delegation, which is at present in Bucharest, is said to have placed orders for 1500 railway trucks to convey Rumanian oil to Germany. The reason is said to be because Germany can no longer get oil from Black Sea outlets through a blockade by the British Fleet. M. Calinescu, who had been Prime Minister of Rumania since March 7, 1939, first entered the Cabinet in 1937 as Minister for the Interior in the Goga Cabinet. When the late Patriarch, Dr. Miron Christea, formed a Coalition Cabinet in February, 1938, M. Calinescu remained in the Cabinet as Minister for the Interior and for Health. A Rumanian Government communique states that the assassination of M. Calinescu has no international political significance. A French official wireless message says that those arrested stated that they acted individually, as they wished to make a gesture. At least 1000 cavalrymen, with machine-guns, are on their way to Bucharest. AN IMPERIAL WAR COUNCIL - i ■ FORMATION NOT THOUGHT PRACTICABLE LONDON, September 21. The Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain), in the House of Commons, replying to a questioner, said he did not think it was immediately practicable to form an Imperial War Council. There were already close contacts between Britain and the Dominions, and all matters connected with the prosecution of the war and the means for the fullest possible co-operation between the Governments were constantly under consideration. Mr Chamberlain- also announced that the War Budget would be presented on Wednesday, and the House would have 'an opportunity for debate on the following day. Mr Chamberlain added that he would make a further statement on the progress of the war on Tuesday. ; He- would deal particularly with the Dominions’ actions, •

Polish submarine Orzel, which was reported to be provisioned for three months. The Orzei escaped from Tallinn, Estonia, where it had been interned. Two Estonians, a petty officer.and an able seaman, who were aboard the submarine Orzel, appeared off the coast of the island of Gottland in a small yawl. They explained that they had been kept aboard the submarine until yesteiday, when they were released. They drifted outside Swedish waters. AIR DEFENCE OF BRITAIN “MENACE AS GREAT AS EVER” LONDON, September 21. . Sir John Anderson (Minister for Civil Defence) said at a press conference: “The air raid menace is as great as ever, and it would be. madness. to disperse the civil defence* forces because they have not yet been called into action. The present lull is giving greater opportunities for more intensive training.” It was not only a war of arms: it was a war of morale, demanding endless endurance and patience, he added. Civil defence preparations were based on the assumption of immediate and continued attacks, and were now experiencing a period which had not been contemplated. Sir John Anderson admitted that the toll of black-out accidents was alarming. Sir John Anderson earlier announced that, to conserve man power, he was considering cutting down the number of air raid wardens. A skeleton staff would be maintained, which could be augmented at short notice. BRITISH MINES IN NORTH SEA (Received September 22, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 22. The Admiralty announces that mines have been laid over an area in the North Sea extending roughly from the Humber to the Tyne. ARAB LOYALTY IN SYRIA FAILURE OF PROPAGANDA BY GERMANY (Received, September 22, 11 p.m.) LONDON, September 22. The Beirut correspondent of “The Times” states that German broadcasting has been markedly active in inciting the Arabs against the Allies, but its .complete failure is demonstrated by the unanimity of the Arab press and the declarations of Arab loyalty, and also by the enthusiastic welcome tendered to General Weygand, the former French Commander-in-Chief, at Damascus. DUKE OF GLOUCESTER BEGINS DUTIES • A (Received September 22, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, September 22. It is officially announced that the Duke of Gloucester has taken up his appointment as liaison officer with the British Expeditionary Force on the Western Front'. SHIPPING MISSION TO LONDON LONDON, September 21. It is reported from Stockholm that seven delegates representing industrial shipping interests are going to London to negotiate with the British Government on commercial navigation problems arising from the war.