RUMANIANS READY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19892, 21 March 1939, Page 5

RUMANIANS READY

Move on Frontier Awaited RUSSIA CONCENTRATES TROOPS Swift Work on New Fortifications BERLIN DENIAL OF TRADE ULTIMATUM (K\pc, Tel. Copyright— TJnitnd Pross Assnj ■■-'■ (Reed. Mar. 21, 10 siVm.) .':.'.:,;* ; > LONDON;'Mar. 20. The Bucharest correspondent of the British United Press says that 350,000 Rumanians are now under arms. Of these, 200,000 in Transylvania are ready to march at a moment's notice. Rumanian Air Force reservists have been called up. Army leave has been cancelled. It is estimated that in wartime Rumania could mobilise 2,000,000 men, although the equipment for such an army is not at present available. *~" ' A further message from. Bucharest states that 200,000 Rumanian troops are mobilised in blockhouses and dugouts along the Hungarian frontier, awaiting Germany's next move. King Carol has decided on just .sufficient military measures to prevent a sudden smash and grab raid in the north. Reports from the north say that Russia is moving large numbers of troops to the Rumanian border, where fortifications arc being rapidly constructed. The Evening Standard says the belief is growing in London that German military action against Rumania is unlikely at present, because, firstly, of inadequate roads and railways in the Carpatho-Ukraine area; secondly, because the Iron Guard is now'impotent; and thirdly, because no efforts have been made to foment trouble among the German and 1 lungarian minorities in Rumania. Berlin official quarters state that the alleged German "economic ultimatum" to Rumania reported during the week-end is merely a "London manoeuvre to disturb the current trade talks between Germany and Rumania." An Independent Cable Service message from. Bucharest slates that despite the tension and obscurity of Germany's intentions, the Rumano-German Trade Pact is scheduled for signing on Tuesday. It is believed it extends to mutual export's and grants Germany the right to exploit, the deeplying oilfields, which so far have been untouched owing to lack of capital.