CAROL TAKES CHARGE

Grey River Argus, 15 February 1938, Page 5

CAROL TAKES CHARGE

NEW ROUMANIAN REGIME London Press Accounts [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] LONDON, February'l3. The Bucharest correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says the new Government is a type of dictatorship Europe has not yet seen. King Carol, like King Alexander of Jugoslavia, has forbidden all party ami political activity, and has abolished the constitution and Parliament. It is indicated that a new constitution will be dictated which will place all power in the hands of the military, but’ King Carol has persuaded many leading politicians, except the Democratic Peasant Party, to lend their names to the new Government, it is thus hoped to rescue the country from the political and economic dangers at home and abroad by M. Goga’s and M. Zuca’s seven weeks’ disastrous rule.

Monsignor Cristea’s “Ministry of all the Talents” faces the uphill task of rehabilitating a country where business is so stagnant that it is said the only dealings are in naturalisation papers. King Carol is anxious that the situation should quieten down, and for that reason has postponed the elections, which might at present provoke bloodshed. Meanwhile, troops are strengthening the frontier guards with orders to round up and, if necessary, shoot all provocative agents. A rigorous censorship continues, this being especially applicable to the disappearance of the Soviet Legation secretary, M. Butenko. Caricatures and cartoons of Ministers are barred.

Very great interest attaches to the intentions of M. Maniu, the so-called Roumanian Cromwell, and the reactions of the Fascist leader, M. Codreanu, and his Iron Guard to the substitution of a Royal for a Fascist dictatorship. M. Maniu declares: “The Goga Government was doomed to an early decease. Its successor at least has the merit of being the King’s personal regime, disregarding both the constitution and all democratic principles. King Carol should have allowed me to form a Cabinet instead of creating a conglomeration with the sole aim of trampling national rights underfoot, accompanied by corruption, the absence of reforms, and contempt for Christian morality and national honour. Monsignor Cristea will not last any longer than Goga.” Monsignor Cristea’s strong antiSemitism has damped the enthusiasm of the Jews at M. Goga’s fall. LONDON, February 13.

A message from Moscow says the Soviet Government insists on a solution of the Butenko mystery, and resents the reported passivity of the Roumanian authorities in face of what Russia regards as a crime provoked by the Iron Guard. The Berlin newspapers give. the impression that M. Goga’s resignation, which has greatly upset the Nazis, was the work of the Jews. The Rome correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says that with the downfall of M. Goga, hopes of a rapprochement between Italy and Roumania and the consequent isolation of Czechoslovakia have disappeared. The “Daily Herald” asserts that King Carol is determined to crush the Fascist Iron Guard and cdfc'b the growing power of its leader, M. Codrianu, which has threatened to rival his own. King Carol in order to accomplish this has had also to destroy democratic government. foreigners EXPELLED. BUCHAREST, February 13. A total of 254 foreigners, including an Englishman, Charles Farmer, were expelled from Roumania during the past week. BUCHAREST, February 14. Stating that his nerves have broken down after the recent upheaval, M. Goga (ex-Premier) has left on a holiday. Possibly he wi]l visit Nice.