ARMISTICE SIGNED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 203, 25 August 1944, Page 5

ARMISTICE SIGNED

PROBLEMS FOR GERMAN HIGH COMMAND Reed. 10.30 p.m. London, Aug. 24 Rumania, after being in the war two years and eight months, has apparently already signed an armistice and the Rumanian Army is ready to turn against the Germans in active collaboration with the advancing Russians, states Reuter's Continental observer. The fact that General Konni Senatiscu has been named as Premier indicates that Court circles have thrown in their lot with the Opposition, because he was former aid-de-camp to King Michael and condemned Rumania's pro-German policy. Maniu, leader of the Peasant Party, is a former Premier of Rumania. Bucharest radio broadcast a declaration by the new Rumanian Government: “The Government which introduces itself to the country, includin representatives ot all political partie° united in a national democratic bloc, has been instructed to assume leadership of the State tn the most difficult and most decisive period of the Rumanian people's fate. Dictatorial regime by permanently violating the people's will has hitherto endangered Rumania's existence. Dictatorship to-day is cast aside and the people enter into their own rights." The radio added that the new Cabinet had already issued a decree granting an amnesty for political crimes committed since 1918.

Reuter's military correspondent says that Rumania’s defection will create these further problems for the German High Command: (1> Manov sky’s 2nd Ukrainian and Tolbukhin's 3rd Ukrainian Armies, entailing 30 to 40 divisions, are freed for another theatre; (2) the German Army group guarding the Galati Gap is now midst hostile country, with uncertain communications to the rear; (3) the road to Bulgaria, east Yugoslavia and Hungary is opened; (4) the Danube route to Central Europe is opened; (5) the Germans are deprived of the Ploest, oil wells, which were their greatest natural supply.

Moscow radio says shooting between the withdrawing Rumanian forces and German troops has broxen out at several points.