SITUATION TOO CRITICAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23302, 22 March 1939, Page 13

SITUATION TOO CRITICAL

RUMANIA REMAINING CALM EARLY ATTACK NOT EXPECTED

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Independent Cable Service (Received March 21, 10.15 p.m.)LONDON, March 21 It is stated that the British Cabinet does not favour the Russian proposal for a conference against the aggressive Powers. Although the chances of an early attack on Rumania are now discounted in London, the Cabinet feels that the need for action is so urgent and the situation so liable to produce a new crisis without warning, that it is no time for a full dress conference, which would also be a disadvantage in that it would take important Ministers from key-points at a critical time. A despatch from Bucharest says there is no sign of alarm in Rumania. King Carol's advisers told him he had no cause to fear an immediate attack by Germany or Hungary. According to a Berlin report, it is understood there that Germany's eastern fortifications are being further strengthened. German military leaders were present at a meeting of the Cabinet, after which Herr Hitler received the Italian Ambassador to Berlin, Dr. B. Attolico. The Germans have demobilised 49,000 members of the Czech Army, says a report from Prague. German troops from the Prague barracks have opened 35 field kitchens in the city, but they are being largely boycotted by the Czechs. It is understood the Germans are preparing to break up big estates and distribute the land to the peasants, in the hope of winning their support. Simultaneously, they will launch a "drive against corruption in high places" and bring many Czech agrarian and manufacturing leaders to trial on charges of enriching themselves at the expense of the people. In case these tactics fail to win popular support, plans are ready to move 100,000 of the most militant Czech workers to different parts of Germany and replace them with Germans.