GRIP ON RUMANIA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23791, 19 October 1940, Page 11

GRIP ON RUMANIA

MORE REPORTS OF SOVIET MOVES NAZI INTEREST IN YUGOSLAVIA POSSIBLE OVER-RUNNING OF FRANCE .-■ By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyr.ght (Received October IS, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Oct.. 17 The Balkans correspondent of the Times says refugees confirm reports of the continued arrival of large: reinforcements of Russian troops, including detachments with queer-looking tanks, regarding which the Soviet soldiers are boasting: "These will give our German friends something to think about." The Axis is rapidly extending its grip on Rumanian communications. Germany is reported to have demanded the right to control all roads in Rumania. The Italians are forming a company to provide fresh tonnage for Danube oil transport. Germany is also showing an interest in the Vlach minority in Yugoslavia, as part of a campaign for disruption from within. It is reliably reported that the German Minister in Bucharest is urging the Rumanian Government to sponsor the claims of the Vlachs for special treatment. The origin of this scattered minority is uncertain. They were once considered Greek, but have lately been encouraged to regard themselves as Rumanians. Road from Bucharest to Black Sea Outlet An Italian company, states the Paris radio, is to build a new road from Bucharest to the Rumanian port of Galatz. This coincides with reported plans of Germany and Italy to establish a naval base at Constanza.

A Times correspondent who was recently in France says early action by the Germans to take over the whole of France is' not improbable. It would have two main purposes; firstly, to control the Mediterranean coastline and the Pyrenean frontier more effectively, and secondly to harness French industry in Southern France to Germany's pressing needs.

A high German official is reported to have said that it is vitally necessary for the Germans to forestall, always and everywhere, any possible British move. The Germans are anxious to find industries outside the range of British bombers in order to maintain essential war output. Manufacturing centres in Southern France might partly meet the need. Rapid Increase in German Control The consequences of such a move to followers of General de Gaulle in France and the French colonies is difficult to estimate, but it must increase their number and the feeling that France's only hope is in the formation of another Government, in North Africa or elsewhere.

However, reports from Morocco and France's other Mediterranean possessions show a strong and rapid increase in German control in recent weeks. The so-called armistice and disarmament commissions which have gone to Tunis, Algeria, Casablanca and Dakar have been followed by civilian and military personnel, who are assuming effective control of key services.