DRASTIC ACTION

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 32, 7 February 1941, Page 7

DRASTIC ACTION

PENALTIES IN RUMANIA

INTERESTS OF STATE

HARD ON MINORITIES

(B}' Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.)

(Received February 7, 1 p.m.)

LONDON, February 6

Teachers and priests in Rumania who use thsir positions to warp the minds of youths against the State are to be* severely punished, under a new decree issued by the Prime Minister, General Antonescu. The decree unifies all legislation for the maintenance of law and order and provides death sentences for offences against the State.

In an interview General Antonescu said that the interests of the State did not allow of leniency, and in future drastic action would be necessary against those who disturbed the security of the State. Not only offenders but .their relatives would be punished.

The German news agency says that the new Rumanian law for the protection of the State imposes the death penalty for the illegal possession of arms, the looting of munitions and public funds, incitement to revolutionary action, firing on members of the Government, attempts on the life of the King and members of the Royal Family, and failure to inform against conspirators.

Other penalties include.the confiscation of property and dismissal from employment. The law stipulates that Jews and members of minorities are to be subject v to- more drastic penalties than Rumanians.

The military are patrolling the streets day and night and carrying out further searches and arrests.

The Rumanian National Committee in London has issued a manifesto in which it aims at freeing King Michael and enabling him to rule constitutionally and democratically. It will fight for the reunion of Rumania within her natural frontiers and for collaboration in the creation of a European order against the Hitlerian conception.