FEAR & ANXIETY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 January 1944, Page 3

FEAR & ANXIETY

WIDESPREAD IN RUMANIA THREAT OF GANGSTER REGIME. YOUNG KING & QUEEN MOTHER HELPLESS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, January 13. The situation in Rumania is deteriorating almost hourly, according to reports reaching Turkey, says the Istanbul correspondent of “The Tinies.” Refugees arriving from Bessarabia and Bukovina have increased the fear created by the Red Army’s approach to the Rumanian frontier.

General Antonescu, the Chief of State and Commander-in-Chief, does not attempt to justify himself. He merely repeats that, having pledged his word as a soldier to the Germans when he thought they would be victorious he is now bound to stand by them.

The Rumanians might have tried to break away from the Germans but for a fear that the Nazis would restore the Iron Guard regime. The Iron Guard leader. Hora-Sima, with about 1000 toughs trained in Gestapo and storm troop technique, is at present being kept'in readiness in Germany for dispatch to Rumania at a moment’s notice.

This prospect terrifies the Rumanians, and secret organisations are preparing to fight the Iron Guard if they are brought back to Rumania. A fear that the Hungarians might take advantage of the situation and attempt to annex the remainder of Transylvania is an additional Rumanian anxiety. King Michael and the Queen mother, Helen, are pathetically helpless figures surrounded by German spies