FALLS TO HUNGARY

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

FALLS TO HUNGARY

CARPATHO—UKRAINE COMPLETE OCCUPATION PARTIAL MOBILISATION THE THREAT TO RUMANIA LONDON. March 20 It is officially announced that the occupation of the Carpatho-Ukraine by Hungary has been completed, says a message from Budapest. Xt is stated that Hungarians and Ruthenians henceforth will have equal status as free citizens. There will be no religious discrimination. The Ruthenians are not likely to be placed under a minority status.

Two thousand Czech officials and members of the army are held up at Chust unable to go to Prague. The Ruthenian Free Corps leader, M. Demetrius Klamps, is reported to have been killed in an ambush.

A message from Belgrade says that M. Volosin, the ex-Premier of the Carpatho-Ukraine, and other former members of the Government have arrived there. It is believed that they are going to Berlin. Hungarian Forces Face Rumania

Partial Hungarian mobilisation continues, but a computation of the numbers of men called up is impossible, says the Budapest correspondent of the Times. Complete mobilisation may be decreed shortly. German and Italian material imported in 1938, includes 5000 trucks and thousands of motor-cars capable of mounting machine-guns and infantry. The equipment is apparently from Austria and is brand new, but the morale of the troops is poor. The men are dejected. Perhaps 5 per cent of the total population has been called -to the colours. Cars and farm waggons everywhere have been requisitioned. Railway goods and passenger traffic is disorganised. Everything is directed against Rumania. Hungarian and Rumanian troops are now face to face. Poland has- diplomatically intervened, but the outlook is not encouraging.

Reports of Activity Conflict An inspired Hungarian statement from Budapest explains the country's military measures, stating that, "in view of the Rumanian concentration of frontier forces in addition to the normal effectives, Hungary has taken similar measures. This is the customary reply to unusual troop movements in neighbouring countries." However, another report says the Hungarian Legation in London denies the concentration of Hungarian troops on the Rumanian frontier, and adds that some men have been called up to reinforce the regiments sent to occupy the Carpatho-Ukraine. TRADE DISCUSSIONS BERLIN AND BUCHAREST ANGLO-RUSSIAN MISSIONS Independent Cable Service LONDON. March 20 Official quarters in Berlin allege that the report of an "economic ultimatum" to Rumania was merely a London manoeuvre to disturb the current trade talks between Germany and Rumania. In the House of Commons, Mr. Oliver Stanley, President of the Board of Trade, announced that the Government was sending a commercial hiission to Rumania. !_rado negotiations between Rumania and Russia are being completed, says a message from Bucharest. These provide for an exchange of Rumanian cattle, hogs, hides and leather for Russian tractors and lorries..