CONFUSION IN RUMANIA

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20917, 23 September 1939, Page 6

CONFUSION IN RUMANIA

Assassination of the Rumanian Prime Minister, M. Armand Calinescu, has started a chain of events that may lead to grave complications in the European situation and possibly to the embroilment of other nations. The general belief is that the Nazis will attempt to gain complete control of Rumania, either by “peaceable absorption” or by making Rumania another Poland. Herr Hitler may believe that be could over-run Rumania as quickly as be did Poland, and that help from Britain and France is no more readily available. Besides, it has long been known that Germany has the support of a considerable number of Nazis or Nazi sympathisers within Rumania. Britain has given a guarantee to Rumania, but in the present circumstances that may not materially alter the position, since Britain and her allies are already at war with those who seek to size Rumania. The greatest danger from the murder and the violence that has followed it lies in the effect it will have on all the other Balkan countries and upon Russia and Italy. It is too soon yet to say what that effect might be, but it holds the possibilities of spreading the war over a much wider field. Desperate efforts will no doubt be made to localise the trouble, hut the prospects of success are doubtful. The Government’s opposition to the Rumanian Nazi Iron Guard has all the elements of a serious outbreak if the Iron Guard is given any encouragement to expect active assistance from Germany.

Developments are not likely to be long delayed. Germany will he forced to push ahead at once. Stagnation would be fatal. She was expected to strike another spectacular blow either in the Balkans or against Holland or Belgium immediately she felt the Polish situation was in Land. Rumania offers one of the most tempting prizes for several reasons. In the first place the Nazis already have a foothold in the country, and then Rumania is rich in oil and grain, two commodities which Germany requires urgently if she is to fight a long campaign with any hope of success. No doubt Herr Hitler has counted the risk of crashing into the Balkans and chancing the enmity of other nations, but he is probably desperate and ready to take risks. German encroachment in the Balkans must be a source of great anxiety particularly to Italy.