TRAGEDY IN STREET

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20916, 22 September 1939, Page 7

TRAGEDY IN STREET

j PROMPT POLICE MEASURES IRON GUARD ROUNDED UP (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyrtjnt) S (Received Sept. 22, 11.5 a.m.) BUCHAREST, Sept. 21 M. Calinescu was shot dead while In a motor car in one of the principal streets of Bucharest. Another car drove up beside that of M. Calinescu before shots were heard, but it is unknown whether the shots came from this car. Prompt police measures followed the assassination. Members of the Iron Guard and other turbulent elements were rounded up. Six young men are believed to be the assassins.

DARING ATTACK

AIDE KILLED, DRIVER WOUNDED RADIO ANNOUNCEMENT MADE NEWS OF UNREST SUPPRESSED (United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Sept. 22. 12 p.m.) BUCHAREST, Sept. 21 As M. Calinescu’s car was approaching a bridge another car drove into it and two other cars drew up. The assailants fired through the windows, hitting M. Calinescu in three places, including the eye. He died when en route to the hospital. M. Calinescu’s aide was also killed and his chauffeur injured. The assassins then drove to the Bucharest radio station, shot and wounded a doorkeeper, seized the microphone, and announced the assassination. There had been constant agitation In Rumania by the Iron Guard since Germany’s invasion of Poland. The Government suppressed news of the unrest, fearing international complications. Shouting and Confusion Listeners were astounded to hear a musical programme interrupted by a voice shouting: “A successful attempt was made on the life of M. Calinescu Throughout Rumania there is terrible excitement.’* Then the technicians cut off the broadcast, but not before wild confusion and shouting were heard, indicating that the unauthorised broadcaster had been attacked. Later it was officially announced that eight arrests had been made. A Government broadcast in the evening accused members of the Iron Guard as the assassins. New Premier Appointed It was stated that General Ernest Baliff had been appointed Prime Minister. • Peace and order prevails throughout Rumania. It is understood that General BalifTs appointment is temporary. The new Cabinet passed a resolution reaffirming Rumania's strict neutrality. Assailants Executed Eight Rumanian Iron Guards, who allegedly were participants in the assassination, were executed by a firing squad on the spot where the crime was committed, the bodies remaining in pools of blood while thousands of onlookers filed past. POWERFUL STATESMAN M. CALINESCU’S CAREER SUPPRESSION OF IRON GUARD PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS ON LIFE 4 Described as the most energetic statesman in Europe, M. Calinescu

I had beer Prime Minister of Rumania since last March when the death occurred of the Patriarch, M. Miron Cristia. . M. Calinescu was Minister of the Interior before being appointed to' the chief position in the Cabinet. While Minister of the Interior he was responsible for the suppression of the Iron Guard —a task which required great, courage as this body at the time the new Cabinet took office was at the height of its popularity. Many members of the guard were sent to prison and others interned in concentration camps. The Iron Guard was a proNazi and anti-Semitic organisation. On more than one occasion the Iron Guard threatened the life of M. Calinescu and the Prime Minister refused to take chances. Everywhere he went he was closely guarded by his personal escort. Amongst other offices held by M. Calinescu in the Rumanian Cabinet was that of Minister of Education and deputy-Prime Minister under M. Cristia. M. Calinescu was also general secretary of the Party of National Regeneration. Next to King Carol he was the most powerful political figure in Rumania, a man of great determination and a close friend of Great Britain.