RESTLESS RUMANIA

Otago Witness, Issue 3870, 15 May 1928, Page 51

RESTLESS RUMANIA

THE PEASANTS’ CONGRESS. DRASTIC RESOLUTIONS PASSED. VIENNA, May 8. Private advices from Bucharest indicate that the Peasants’ Congress resolutions were much more drastic than was indicated" by earlier telegrams. Ono resolution is reported to empower the people to remove the ruling Government by all means and denies its right to act on behalf of the country, particularly in concluding the new loan. It states that while the people are monarchically inclined they are capable of choosing a more suitable form of government. The congress has constituted itself a National Assembly and will await the Council of Regency’s decision. PRINCE CAROL IN ENGLAND. “THE TIME TO STRIKE.” * LONDON, May 8. Prince Carol’s activities in England savour of pure melodrama. The prince, attired in spotless tennis flannels, is most accessible to scores of interviewers at M. Jonesou’s Surrey Home, and speaks cryptic phrases, inferring that there is much at the back of his mind which he is not prepared to disclose. To-day he is the centre of considerable official and unofficial interest because it is believed that he is engaged in some quaint plan, despite his emphatic denial. He said to-aay: “ There is no plot, but the moment has come, and I am now striking because I believe my ascension to the throne is Rumania’s hope for welfare and peace.” , Just how and where he is striking is difficult to ascertain because he denies that he had anything to do with the two aeroplanes which were stopped by the British authorities when they were about to depart. Prince Carol said: “ Maybe the aeroplanes were carrying manifestoes, but I know nothing of the details. I leave them to my good friends. Certainly the manifestoes have been prepared for a long time, and some time ago they were sent to the leaders of Rumania, so even if thousands were stopped this week-end others have already been delivered.” In another interview he declared that the manifesto embodied his ideals for the management of his country and he adjudged May 6 as the best date to issue it, but the people were making mountains out of molehills. “ I am not a throne-seeker; I have not come to convert the pleasant English countryside into the headquarters of a thronestealing plot. I came to live quietly awhile, but chance dictated while I was here that the moment to strike should arrive.” Another sicle to the stopped aeroplanes story is given. An official Air Ministry statement to-day says that it was informed that two Imperial Airways liners had been chartered, ostensibly to fly with Prince Carol to Rumania. In view o£ the fact that the authorities were not satisfied that Prince Carol possessed the necessary papers to land in Rumania, action was taken to prevent the flight. The Rumanian headquarters in London, in an official statement, says that Prince Carol’s actions have nothing whatever to do with the internal politics of Rumania, but all these vague activities have not escaped the notice of the Foreign Office. Prince Carol’s action in authorising the manifesto to be delivered to his people from England is regarded as a breach of the hospitality given to an exile - from his own country. CHANCE TO LEAVE VOLUNTARILY. LONDON, May 8. The authorities, after days of inquiries and conferences, sent a Scotland Yard officer to explain to Prince Carol that in the British Government’s view his presence was undesirable, and to secure his undertaking to depart voluntarily. If this fails an expulsion order will be presented. Prince Carol declares that he is amazed to hear that the Home Office has intervened. The action must be the result of Rumanian intrigue, for the British Government, with its traditional courtesy, would surely not do such a thing on its own account. The police were still guarding all entrances to the house early this morning. REQUEST POLITELY RHRASED. LONDON, May 8. Prince Carol was notified of the decision at noon. The request was unmistakably but politely phrased in ordei not to bring it within the meaning of a deportation order. Prince Carol was obviously taken aback at the definite confirmation of the Government’s attitude. “ This is a terrible blow,” M. Jonescu complained bitterly. “ Prince Carol’s expulsion has wrecked a decade of hard work to effect AngloRumanian rapprochement. How can England now say that she is a friend of the litle country that lost half her manhood in the war fighting on the same side? ” Prince Ca.v left Surrey in a motor car soon after the ultimatum was delivered, and drove to a West End hotel, where a lunch had been arranged in his honour, but it was cancelled, and he lunched privately. He subsequently motored to The Zoo, and joined M.

Jonescu, thence back to Surrey to express his views. REFUSES TO SEE CALLERS. LONDON, May 8. Prince Carol returned home to-night and retired to his study. He refused to see callers. M. Jonescu stated that his visit to the Foreign Office failed to obtain satisfaction. Prince Carol 3 is now drafting a letter to Sir William Joynson-Hicks, denying that he is carrying on subversive propaganda, and stating that ne knew nothing of the attempt to export the manifesto, which was not printed at his orders. PRINTING OF THE MANIFESTO. LONDON, May 8. The. Daily Herald states that the authorities are making a careful inquiry into the activities of an English journalist who was the prime agent in getting the manifesto printed and chartering the aeroplanes. The Herald adds that the suggestion that the whole affair is a mere newspaper enterprise is, of course, baseless. It is far more serious than that. The diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Telegraph states that the official view is that Prince Carol intended to spend a quiet holiday in England, but he allowed himself to be harried by injudicious friends, both Rumanian and British, into all sorts of wild statements and equally wild schemes, the easy way in which he was led, or misled, only showing his singular lack of political sense and discretion. POSITION IN RUMANIA. LONDON, May 8. A delayed message from Albajulia says that the congress of 676 delegates, representing 71 districts, and 100,000 people, proceeding thither headed by bands playing -patriotic airs. The Petroshani colliers seized a train and forced the crew to convey them to the demonstration. After the meeting the crowd condemned resolution and demanded deeds. They were stirred up by orators, who swore by God to drive out the Government. Thousands of bareheaded peasants repeated the formula sentence by sentence while a priest held up a crucifix. The party committee is not prepared for revolutionary action, but the younger leaders, backed by public opinion, insisted that something resembling the Fas tive measure. The Vienna correspondent of the Times states that Budapest papers, despite the fact that all communications are closed, announce the receipt of despatches from Bucharest, apparently confirming the reports that groups of peasants are marching on the capital. Hungarian papers report the arrest of M. Carzala, the Bucharest correspondent of the Daily Express and the New York Times, and M. Jonzaranu, a local journalist. They are charged with spreading false reports in connection witli the Albajulia meeting. M. Duca, the Rumanian Minister of the Interior, denies the press reports of disorder, and declares that perfect calm prevails. M. MANIU’S AIM. LONDON, May 8. News from Rumania direct has practically stopped since the demonstration at Albajulia, and what is now coming obviously represents the official viewpoint. On the other hand there is much indirect news via Berlin and Vienna which is obviously exaggerated. The most reliable is as follows: — The Bucharest Cabinet, under the presidency of the Premier, M. Britian, decided that measures should be taken against journalists who sent news abroad about a march against Bucharest and about a collision between the demonstrators and troops, resulting in killed and injured. All is without foundation. The prcs« was informed after a Cabinet meeting that all political agitations in future would be forbidden. One of the Ministers declared that since the National Peasant Party considered the Government an enemy of the people it ceased to be within the law, and became an illegal party. Cabinet considered a Bill reorganising the various Ministries, which will be introduced in the autumn. The Berlin correspondent of the Morn-'" ing Post says that most of the demonstrators are drifting ’mineward, while those wb-' began a n J ’> on Bucharest have been brought to a standstill owing to the tactics of the Government and lack of leadership. M. Manin, having shrunk from using a show of force against the Government, now possesses merely moral arguments with which to impress the regency of the seriousness of the peasants’ intentions. The Government therefore remains outwardly unshaken, while M. Manin and his friends must do hard bargaining at Bucharest if they are not to lose prestige. The correspondent of the Vossische Zeitung at Bucharest has been placed under arrest in a military prison on a charge of issuing false information. The police tapped the wires. M. Maniu, in an interview, said: “ Prince Carol docs not concern me. My struggle is solely against the Government, and I am aiming at the establishment of a democratic regime. OPINION IN BUCHAREST. BUCHAREST, May 9. Political circles are painfully sur- • prised at Prince Carol’s activities in

London, and offer the opinion that he yielded to his entourage’s advice. Importance is not attached to the manifesto. It is pointed out that no party has espoused his cause, which is considered definitely lost. Public opinion is most pleased with the British Government’s correct attitude in cutting short the prince’s adventurous ambition. Bucharest and other towns are enthusiastically preparing to celebrate the national festival on May 10, for which they are profusely decorated. M. Maniu has abandoned the plan of presenting to the Regency the resolutions passed at Albajulia; instead, they will be presented to Parliament. The Government has arrested two journalists because they were responsible for exaggerated reports of the peasants’ congress, circulating rumours that three columns were marching upon Bucharest, and that numerous persons were killed and wounded. NO WITHDRAWAL OF ORDER. RUGBY, May 10. A further statement regarding Prince Carol of Rumania was made in the House of Commons to-day by Sir William Joyn-son-Hicks. He said: “ I received yesterday from M. Jonescu a communication expressing on behalf of Prince Carol regret that the ex-Prince had unintentionally caused embarrassment to the British Government, and giving the assurance that if my request were withdrawn he would not enter into any political activity during his stay here. I have carefully considered this representation in consultation with the Foreign Secretary, and have reluctantly felt compelled to reply to the effect that the unfortunate Impressions already created cannot be removed by any assurance for the future, and that while I am prepared on the clear understanding that the cx-Prince and those directly associated with him will refrain scrupulously in the meantime from any form of political activity to allow him reasonable time to make ar rangements to leave the country. I regret that the direction already issued cannot be withdrawn.” The Home Secretary added that while he did not want to fix the time he hoped the Prince would have gone by Monday. SUFFERING FROM A CHILL. ' LONDON, May 11. Prince Carol is suffering from a chill and has been in bed all day long. He is feverish and restless and a cloctor is attending him. Doubt is expressed by M. Jonescu whether Prince Carol will be able to travel during the next few days, and thus an interesting situation will be raised in view of the Home Secretary’s statement in the House of Commons. RETURN TO FRANCE UNLIKELY. PARIS, May 11. It is considered unlikely that Prince Carol will return to France, as it is understood that he has sold his house at Nevilly. CONSULTS EMINENT LAWYERS. RUGBY, May 11. Prince Carol of Rumania, who has been requested to leave the country, has made a final appeal to the Home Secretary. The appeal was made after the Prince had taken the advice of Sir Henry Slesser and Sir Patrick Hastings, two eminent barristers, who however, it is understood, advised him that an appeal had little chance of success. Meanwhile, Prince Carol has contracted a chill. It is considered that he may be able to defer his departure only on this account. CALLERS CLOSELY QUESTIONED. LONDON, May 11. Prince Carol is improving, though he will have to remain in bed for a few days. A strong police guard outside the mansion closely questions callers, and interviewers are strictly barred —a striking contrast to the accessibility before the Home Office order. Mr Jonescu to-day attributed to a newspaper interview, in which Prince Carol mentioned that the “ time has come _to strike,” as the cause of the whole "trouble. He said: “ The interview should never have been given. It immediately drew publicity to the Prince’s movements.” It is understood that the Home Office will make no further move during fhe week-end, but will wait and see whether Prince Carol is fit to travel during the next two or three days.