RUMANIAN PEOPLE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 210, 3 August 1940, Page 8

RUMANIAN PEOPLE.

THEIR FUTURE CHARTED. ACTIVITY bYcOMMUNISTS. LONDON, July 25. Dispirited and disillusioned, the Rumanian people are looking on while Russia and Germany chart their future. Observers now are discussing whether King Carol’s party is. so discredited in the eyes of his people that the Iron Guard may seize control of the State. King Carol’s decision to surrender Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina without a fight, after -the people had been taxed to capacity for defence, and after sg many declarations that Rumania would defend herself., completely disheartened the people. Rumania’s non-resistance to Russia disappointed Germany, but it remains to be seen whether Germany is ready to intervene in order to prevent Russia and Bulgaria from further encroaching on Rumania. Germany clearly does not wish to risk vital oil supplies if it can possibly be avoided. Soviet activity is increasing throughout Rumania. Communists are seeking to arouse the discontended peasantry, particularly by insisting that the Government is maltreating Rumanian refugees who wish to go to Bessarabia. The influence of Russia is increasingly being felt in Yugoslavia, whose Government the Axis accuses of being too nro-British and of being friendly with Russia.

The Axis charges the Croat leaders with being in touch with British and French Leftists. There is evidence that many Yugoslavs see that their mily hope of an independent existence lies in co-operation with Britain and Russia. They are believed to he convinced that the. Axis aims at creating an independent Crotia and carving up the remainder of Yugoslavia. It is believed that the Russian naval manoeuvres, which will begin on Sunday, are intended to enhance Russian prestige, which has gained great stature in the last few weeks. All units of the Baltic, Black Sea, and Far Fast will participate. Clearly. Russia docs not intend to impress Bulgaria and Rumania, which now she lias no need of impressing, nor Turkey, which, with Britain as a go-between, is looking forward to the friendliest relations with the Soviet, but aims at impressing Germanv and Japan.