UNREST IN RUMANIA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 2 December 1940, Page 5

UNREST IN RUMANIA

A GERMAN PROTECTORATE • ENVISAGED NAZIS’ PLANS FOR COUNTRY POSSIBLE INTERVENTION BY HITLER | [U.P.A.-By Electric Telegraph-Copyright] LONDON, 30th November. The Free French news agency, in a message from Bucharest, says dissident members of the Iron Guard machinegunned from a motor car the Iron Guard headquarters, killing and wounding several executive members. The Germans are dissatisfied with the economic administration of Rumania and envisage the establishment of a German protectorate. The size of the German force in Rumania is increasing rapidly. Court officials, commenting on reports that King Michael had fled from Bucharest, says the King is still at the Palace. Queen Helen went to Italy on 21st October at her own wish. The Iron Guard published a warning that it will defend its power against all comers. Three members of the Iron Guard were arrested for attempting to assist the escape of M. Marinescu. Two of them later committed suicide. The German news agency says the former Iron Guard leader. M. Codreanu, and 13 members of the Guard who were killed two years ago, were reburied this morning in Bucharest. Mass preceded the ceremony. The Nazi representative, Herr von Shirach, after arrival of General Antonescu, laid a wreath from Hitler on Codreanu’s coffin. Other wreaths were received from Mussolini and the Fascist Party. Representatives of Mussolini and General Franco were present and also the Spanish and Japanese military attaches. The Supreme Court at Bucharest quashed Codreanu’s conviction fer treason. The legionaries who allegedly are responsible for the first executions were not molested when returning from a Mass for Codreanu, despite their predicted arrest. German sources in Budapest report that General Antonescu’s decrees were not enforced against the legionaries and are virtually repealed. A Jewish progrom is reported to have occurred at Ploesti and Galata. Diplomatic circles in Bucharest regard the arrival of a German mission for Codreanu’s funeral as connected with possible intervention by Hitler. Several Rumanian army divisions from the provinces are converging on Bucharest to augment army support for General Antonescu.

The Rumanian Government has ordered the removal of troops from the provinces to the capital to assist in maintaining order. General Antonescu is conferring with the Iron Guard leaders after conferring with the military chiefs. The Iron Guard forces declare that they will oppose the formation of a military Cabinet.

Belgrodz reports that M. Bratianu, leader of the Rumanian Liberals, who is now reported to be under a close police guard, had a lengthy conference with Dr. Maniu, the Peasant leader, and that in consequence rumours have arisen that an all-party Government may be formed. It is reported that Queen Helen left Bucharest because she disagreed with the Rumanion Nazis, and also because the legionaries were hostile to Queen Helen.

RETRIAL OF DEAD LEADER The news agency also stated that the retrial of Codreanu, whose death in 1938 was the cause of the present crisis in Rumania, has begun in the Bucharest Supreme Court of Appeal. M. Cosmovici, now Under-Secretary to the Prime Minister, who was sentenced to imprisonment with hard labour for treason, is again conducting the case. Though the Rumanian Government claims that order has been restored, reports from Other sources do not substantiate this. One American report says that Iron Guards are fighting a pitched battle with Rumanian troops. The latest reports getting past the censorship at Bucharest indicate that the Iron Guard is not only at loggerheads with the army, but is quarrelling in itself. One message says that the Iron Guard leader himself narrowly escaped sharing the fate his followers have already meted out to three former Rumanian Prime Ministers and many other eminent men. It is stated that there was an attempt to assassinate him a week ago outside his house. Apparently his bodyguard saved him and ki r ed one of the would-be assassins. General Antonescu is trying to restore his authority with the help of the army leaders, but the generals are demanding the punishment of Iron Guard assassins, and General Antonescu appears to be uncertain how far he dare proceed against these men. To add to his perplexity, the Germans, who have got troops in the country, and who can easily send more, have not yet come out on either side. Other reports from Rumania indicate that there have been disturbances among the civil population. In the oilfield area guards have been posted, also at the telegraph and telephone offices, following the recent executions, which, according to German sources, have the approval of the people. SYMPATHY FOR VICTIM Though the number of deaths ih Rumania, is not known, at least several hundreds have been killed in the Iron Guard terrorism, and the murders continue. Proof that the murders are condemned by the majority of the population was given at the funeral of Professor Jorga. Though the time and place of the burial were not announced, more than 6000 people attended.