GERMAN MOVE AWAITED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 94, 21 March 1939, Page 7

GERMAN MOVE AWAITED

RUMANIA UNDER ARMS RUSSIA TAKES SIGNIFICANT STEP (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph..—Copyright.) LONDON, March 20. While political circles here discuss the possible attitude of the various countries in the event of a Oerruan invasion of Rumania, following the ultimatum reported to have been delivered yesterday, Bucharest messages state that 200,000 Iturnanian troops are mobilised in blockhouses and dug-outs along the Hungarian frontier awaiting Germany’s next move. King Carol has decided ,to take just sufficient military measures to prevent a sudden smash-and-grab raid in the north. Deports from the north also say that Russia is moving large numbers of troops to the Rumanian border where fortifications are being rapidly constructed. SMALL NATION’S STRENGTH. The British United Press Bucharest correspondent says that 350,000 Rumanians are now under aims, of whom 200,000 are in Transylvania and ready to march at a moment’s notice. Air Force reservists have been called and army leave has been cancelled. It is estimated that in wartime Rumania could mobilise 2,000,000 men, although equipment for them is at present not available.

A Bucharest report says that despite the tension and the obscurity of Germany’s intentions, the Rumano-German trade pact is scheduled to be signed to-morrow. It is believed to extend mutual exports and grant Germany the right to exploit deep-lying oilfields, which so far have not been touched for lack of capital.