THE MIDDLE EAST

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 90, 12 October 1940, Page 11

THE MIDDLE EAST

First Stage Seen

EVENTS IN RUMANIA

Intimidation in Other Countries

(British Official Wireless.) ;(Received.October 12, 10.40 a.m.) RUGBY, October 11. The position in Rumania is still obscure in many respects, although the information available has done nothing to modify the view of military and diplomatic correspondents in the Press that the enemy contemplates a drive towards the Middle East and that the events in Rumania constitute the first stage in a large strategic project. Reports received from Sir Reginald Hoare, British Minister in Budapest, show that he lias had interviews 'with responsible members of the Rumanian Government. The nature of the interviews is not disclosed, but it may be stated that they cannot be regarded as satisfactory. ' In the meantime there is no official confirmation in London of reports suggesting military occupation of Rumania by Germany, but there can be little doubt as to the presence there of Germans in uniform and with some equipment. .Concern in regard to these developments continues to be expressed in the newspapers. There is ample evidence of German attempts to intimidate other countries in south-eastern Europe, but in official circles reports to the effect that German troops have actually moved into Bulgaria are without confirmation. Similarly, reports of an imminent invasion of Greece by the Italians lack confirmation and are regarded with some reserve in informed quarters.

Considerable reserve has been shown in official quarters in London in the last few days regarding the situation in Rumania. The reason for this was that telegrams from Sir Reginald Hoare had been held up. It is now possible, however, on the basis of reliable information in the possession of Britain to give some account of the circumstances in which German troops arrived in Rumania. It can also be stated that Rumania can be in no doubt that in the view of Britain the relations of the two countries have reached a critical point. Early in September a considerable number of German S.S. men in uniform arrived.. According to Rumania, these men had been admitted in connection with the evacuation of the German colony in Bessarabia, tl is clear, however, from the destinations to which the Germans proceeded and from the fact that they were accompanied by equipment, that the r true object was to enable the Germans to occupy certain strategic positions. There is reason to believe that an agreement was made with Germany, even before General Antonescu assumed office, for the dispatch to Rumania of German armoured divisions. On October 8 news was received in London of the arrival of further German troops in Rumania. In reply to an inquiry for information, Sir Reginald Hoare was informed by the Rumanian Government that Rumania would not be occupied by German troops and that no German "unit" had entered Rumania. Rumania's reply intimated that Rumania had the right "to procure where she can material necessary for her armament and technicians required for the instruction of her units." AN IMPORTANT DISCREPANCY. Sir Reginald Hoare, as a result of persistent requests, succeeded on October 9 in seeing the Rumanian Foreign Minister, from whom he learned that a very large number of German "instructors" was expected forthwith. Sir Reginald saw 'the. President of the Council on the same day, and General Antonescu stated categorically that there were no German troops in Rumania, though he added that Germans to the number of 3000 were expected. General Antonescu described these men as "specialist instructors or technicians," but there are good grounds for believing the men to be troops, that they wiil arrive very shortly, and that their numbers will be considerable. .There was, it is understood, an important discrepancy between General Antonescu's estimate of the number of "instructors" and that of the Rumanian Foreign Minister. In these circumstances Sir Reginald Hoare made it clear to General Antonescu that as he understood the position the relations between Britain and Rumania had reached a critical point. ' The Rumanian Government has as yet to-release all British subjects arrested, but as a result of Sir Reginald Hoare's emphatic intervention there is gome reason to believe that the person? under arrest are no longer in danger or discomfort.