IRON GUARD MEMBERS

Evening Star, Issue 23129, 1 December 1938, Page 13

IRON GUARD MEMBERS

SHOT DEAD WHILE TRYING TO ESCAPE FORMER LEADER A VICTIM Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright BUCHAREST, November 30. (Received December 1, at 1 p.m.) Fourteen former members of the Iron Guard, including Condrenau and the murderers of Duca Stalescu in 1933, were shot dead when trying to escape

while being transported from a Moldavian prison to the military gaol in 'Bucharest. The prisoners’ cars were ambushed in a forest by Condrenau’s supporters. The prisoners jumped from the cars and were shot by the guards as they fled. REOPENING OF BITTER FIGHT PREDICTED IMMEDIATE CONSEQUENCES UNLIKELY. LONDON, November 30. (Received December 1, at 1 p.m.) The British United Press correspondent in Bucharest says the shooting of Codreanu is believed to mark the reopening of the bitter fight between King Carol’s authoritarian regime and the Iron Guards. The ‘ Daily Telegraph’s ’ Bucharest correspondent says the attempted rescue is believed to be part of intensified Iron Guard activities. Imprisoned leaders have been moved from prison in recent weeks as the result of suspicion of a plot to free them. Three hours after the shooting the bodies were buried without ceremony at Jilava fortress, 40 miles from the scene.

The circumstances of the shootings have created a painful impression. Immediate consequences are unlikely because of the police and military precautions.

[A message received on May 27 stated that the former leader of the Rumanian Iron Guard, Corncliu Condrenau, was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment with hard labour.]