GERMAN DRIVE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21242, 12 October 1940, Page 7

GERMAN DRIVE

TOWARDS MIDDLE EAST ANGLO-RUMANIAN TENSION MORE NAZI INTIMIDATION (Orrifld! VVJrriess) (Received Oct. 12, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, Oct. 11 The position in Rumania is still obscure in many respects, although the information available has done nothing to modify the view of military and diplomatic correspondents in the press that the enemy contemplates a drive towards the Middle East and that events in Rumania constitute the first stage in a large strategic project. Reports received from Sir R. Hoare, British Ambassador, show that he had interviews with responsible members of the Rumanian Government. The nature of the interviews has not been disclosed, but it may be stated that they cannot be regarded as satisfactory. Meantime there is no official confirmation in London of reports suggesting the military occupation of Rumania by Germany, but there can br little doubt as to the presence there of Germans in uniform and with some equipment.

Concern in regard to these developments continues to be expressed in the newspapers. There is ample evidence of German attempts to intimidate other Southeastern European countries, but in official circles reports to the effect that German troops have actually moved into Bulgaria are without confirmation.

Similarly reports of an imminent invasion of Greece by Italians lack confirmation and are regarded with some reserve in informed quarter*.