FACTION CLASHES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23860, 10 January 1941, Page 7

FACTION CLASHES

l.'l MANI AN QUARBKTj REPORTS EXAGGERATED OFFICIAL LONDON VIEW By Telegraph —Press Association- Copyright British Wireless LONDON, Jan. S There s no confirmation in London of reports of serious clashes between rival factions in .Rumania. "While it is known that sharp differences have arisen within the Iron (iuard, and the Germans may he faced with the necessity of deciding whether to support the moderate section, ranged behind the Aritonescu Government, or the extremists, who claim to represent the policy of Codreanu, reports of an internal quarrel are regarded in official quarters as much exaggerated. The suspension of telephone communication between Bucharest and the outside world has been represented as contributory evidence of disturbances within the country, regarding which there is a noteworthy absence of circumstantial detail. There is, however, reason to believe that the severe weather recently experienced throughout south-eastern Europe fully ac- ' counts for this breakdown of communication. The only interference with external communications due to other causes has arisen owing to the requisitioning by the Germans of a line to replace one which is down through snow. Telegraphic contact between London and the British Minister at Bucharest has been maintained. NOT PRO-GERMAN PEOPLE OF RUMANIA OBSERVER'S ASSERTION LONDON, Jan. 8 On his arrival from Rumania, where he spent: six years installing petroleum equipment, Mr. H. (i. Austin said the | position in Rumania was much more | favourable than people were led to I believe. The impression that Rumania j was pro-Xazi was quite wrong. He said he was not surprised at the present conflicts, and was sure the acts of sabotage would increase, compelling the Germans to send more troops if they were to obtain benefit from the resources of that country. Mr. Austin said he had received figures showing that Germany was not getting more than one-fifth of the available oil from Rumania. He doubted whether, with the Danube frozen over, the Germans were getting one-tenth of the supplies. The Rumanian output of refinetj oil was about 5,000,000 tons a ye .if. MEETINGS IN BULGARIA MINISTERS TO ATTEND PURPOSE NOT DISCLOSED LONDON, Jan. 0 Special meetings are to be held in various towns in Bulgaria on Sunday. The purpose of the meetings is not disclosed, but it is announced that Cabinet Ministers will attend. It is believed that the meetings have something to do with the return of the Bulgarian Prime Minister, Professor Filoff. to Sofia from Vienna. Increased numbers of Rumanian soldiers have tied into Bulgaria. They complain of the hardships they have suffered. SOVIET WARSHIPS WARNED BUCHAREST. Jan. S It is reported from Constan/.a that nine Soviet warships, affcr appearing off Sulina, were warned to stay out oi Rumanian territorial waters.