NAZIS IN BUCHAREST

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21243, 14 October 1940, Page 7

NAZIS IN BUCHAREST

ENTRY INTO RUMANIAN CAPITAL GREAT DISPLAY OF GERMAN FORCE PENETRATION COMPLETE—BRITISH RESIDENTS LEAVE (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, October 13 Open lorries laden with German soldiers carrying rifles with bayonets fixed rumbled through tbe streets of Bucharest at noon on Saturday, headed by cars filled with officers and flying regimental standards. Many watchers removed their hats, and some hotels unfurled the swastika. Over 100 German aeroplanes hearing the Rumanian colours flew over the city, most of them proceeding in a southerly direction. German penetration of Rumania is regarded as a fact and is now expected to reveal itself fully. It is understood British naval and military officers and staffs, also commercial staffs, are leaving immediately. The British Legation is urgently advising British residents, who number about 400, to depart. It is understood the Legation stressed that most roads from today will he controlled by military elements. This is believed to refer to the Germans.

British Officials in Danger Iron Guards tired hundreds of revolver shots from a neighbouring house into the garden of a villa rented by the air attache at the British Legation, Lord Forbes, and Mr John Reed, secretary at the Legation. Bullets showered on the walls and shattered windows, but nobody was hurt. The authorities refused to intervene, explaining that the Iron Guards were firing on “a suspect’s garden.” It was learned from the Rumanian Foreign Office on Saturday that large contingents of German troops, at Germany’s request, would cross Hungary to Rumania, being transported partly by road and train and partly down the Danube. It was officially stated that a German air mission arrived on Saturday afternoon, a few hours after a military mission. A Rumanian communique stated: “The former Rumanian Government asked Germany to help in the instruction of the Rumanian Army in the new methods of warfare. General Antonescu adopted the idea and Germany decided to send a military mission, of which the first group, Tinder the command of General Speidel Hansen, arrived in Bucharest on Saturday. The population of Transylvania enthusiastically greeted the glorious representatives of Germany.” German newspapers in Transylvania yesterday for the first time openly announced that German troops had arrived in Rumania and were guarding the oil region and other key points in order to prevent foreign sabotage. It is stated that the number of German troops in Rumania is uncertain, but is believed to be about 20,000. Stemming Nazi Drive The Cairo correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says it is believed conversations aimed at stemming Germany’s drive to the east are proceeding between Britain, Turkey, Russia, Bulgaria and Greece. The Turkish radio at Ankara stated that if Germany’s moves in Rumania foreshadow an advance through the Balkans and across Syria to Egypt, “this road will be guarded by 2,000,000 bayonets.” The speaker added: “It seems that the Balkans and even Russia are on the brink of war. Let us await developments. A German attack would create many political complications and would meet the strongest resistance.” Greece continues to hasten defence preparations, and a visit by Greek Army officers to Berlin has been cancelled. Excitement is rising in Syria and Lebanon, where the French authorities, under Italian pressure are clamping on more and more restrictions on speech and the newspapers in an attempt to get a grip on the situation. Frontier supervision has been reinforced. The Italians are easing material and military demands and are concentrating on propaganda. Political experts are replacing military commissioners for the purpose of building up a more favourable atmosphere. Syrians abroad, particularly in South America have sent a message to the Syrian leaders promising moral and material aid for resistance against the Italians.