NEW RUMANIA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23708, 15 July 1940, Page 7

NEW RUMANIA

GEBMAN PRESSURE YUGOSLAVIA AND HUNGARY RELATIONS WITH AXIS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received July 14, 8.15 p.in.) LONDON, July 14 According to the Bucharest cox - - respondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain, hundreds of thousands of men are working long shifts building fortifications on the new Russian-Rumanian frontier. Mobilisation of Rumania's Army is continuing indefinitely. Another message from Bucharest says the Rumanian Government, responding to a German demand, ordered 100,000 peasant soldiers to return to their farms for the wheat harvest. Berlin Invites Minister \ The Rumanian General Staff has issued a communique stating that demobilisation of farm workers and industrial and technical experts will begin to-day. The Rumanian Foreign Minister, M. Manoilescu, has been invited to Berlin for political discussions. A decree issued in Bucharest pro% r ides that the names of all foreign shareholders in Rumanian oil companies, with the dates and places of purchase of shares, must be registered with the Ministry of National Economy within 30 days.

Persistent rumours of British-owned companies endeavouring to dispose of shares to Russian interests are denied. They are believed to have emanated from German sources, with a view to forcing Rumania to assume control of all the companies. The rumours have probably precipitated the new decree, which is interpreted in some quarters as a step toward nationalisation. Trend In Yugoslavia

It is also denied that the Rumanian Navy blockaded 50 British tankers, or that any British tankers are in Rumanian ports. The Belgrade correspondent of the Times states that Yugoslavia is rapidly becoming a corporate State under the pressure of German demands that internal orientation must be toward the Axis.

The Yugoslav newspaper Vreme says: "The democratic system of Yugoslavia has induced an endless series of failures. We welcome the new system." It is stated in Hungarian political circles that Germany and Italy have guaranteed that all the Hungarian claims against Rumania will be fulfilled, provided Hungary withholds action while Germany and Italy are at war, says a Budapest report. Nevertheless, Hungary will maintain armed preparedness while Rumania is mobilised.

FAITHFUL TO FRIENDS TURKISH DECLARATION ISTANBUL, July 12 The Prime Minister of Turkey, Dr. Refik Saydam, in a speech in the National Assembly said: "Turkey remains faithful to her friends and has no aggressive intentions against her neighbours. J "I do not believe these countries have aggressive intentions against Turkey," he added, "and I do not see in the present situation any immediate danger for Turkey. Propaganda makes no impression on this country." BRITAIN AND EIRE BERLIN RADIO THREAT (Received July 34, 8.15 p.m.) LONDON, July 14 The Berlin radio denies that Germany is planning to violate the neutrality of Eire, but says: "Any attempts to reshape the relations between England and Eire would inevitably help to extend the theatre of war." FINNISH VESSEL SUNK (Received July 14, 0.50 p.m.) LONDON, July 13 The Finnish cargo vessel Petsamo, of 4626 tons, is believed to have been smik by a torpedo off the Irish coast. The crew of .'i.'i wero landed at Cork.