SECURITY HANGS BY THREAD

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24850, 23 March 1944, Page 5

SECURITY HANGS BY THREAD

GERMANS TIGHTEN GRIP ON BULGARIA By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Keceived March 22, 11.10 p.m.) . LONDON, March 22 I Latest reports suggest that the Germans are about to occupy i Rumania, says the British United Press correspondent in Ankara. German infantry and four panzer divisions are proceeding toward Rumania through Hungary. The Rumanian radio has been sending out vague German 'iatements referring to the intensification of collaboration between Germany and her allies. Reuters Cairo correspondent says one of the largest troop movements in history is progressing in South-eastern Europe. A German army is pouring into Bessarabia from the east, German technicians and engineers are entering Rumania from the west, and the outstretched German army in the Balkans is transferring precious divisions from Yugoslavia to Hungary. The internal security of Bulgaria and Rumania is now hanging by a thread. Leaders Meet in Long Conference Rumanian leaders are reported to have been in conference for five hours, presumably to discuss whether to resist or surrender to the Russians. After the conference, says the Istanbul correspondent of the Associated Press, the Prime Minister, Antonescu, conferred with the War Minister, General Pantazi, who then waited on thff commander of the German forces. The Rumanian Committee of Political Opposition, consisting of 16 prominent persons, including Dr. Julius Maniu, leader of the Peasant Party, and George Bratianu, leader of the National Liberal Party Opposition, appealed to Antonescu to secure an armistice with the Russians before the Red Army crosses the Pruth River. The Daily Express says the committee sent a message to Prince Stirbey indicating the urgency of his'mission in Cairo. The message added: "It lies in your power to secure an armistice which alone can save Rumania from being laid waste." However, says the correspondent, the key to the situation remains with the army, which is wholly loyal to Antonescu. Public Demanding Way Out of Troubles Reports describe the Rumanian public mind as panic-stricken, gays the Ankara correspondent of the Times. There is a general outcry for some action by the Rumanian Government to extricate the country from its predicament. According to the Ankara radio the Germans have assumed control of all telephone, telegraph and radio communication in Bulgaria. The Ankara correspondent of the Times says the Opposition parties in Bulgaria, after the recent Allied bombing of Sofia, issued a manifesto inviting Bulgarians to put an end to the Government's suicidal policy and save the country from further misfortunes. The correspondent adds that a powerful military police force has been created in Bulgaria on the lines of Himmler's Black Guards to enforce order after air raids. Its equipment is reported to include tanks, aircraft and fast army vehicles.