RUMANIA’S FEARS

Waikato Times, Volume 194, Issue 22246, 15 January 1944, Page 5

RUMANIA’S FEARS

MORALE DETERIORATING

PREMIER’S PLEDGED WORD THREAT OF IRON GUARD (United Press Assn.—Eire. Tel. Copyrig-ht; LONDON, Jan. 13 The situation in Rumania is deteriorating almost hourly, according to reports reaching Turkey, says the Istanbul correspondent of the Times. Refugees arriving from Bessarabia and Bukovina have increased the fear created by the. Red Army’s approach to the Rumanian frontier. The Rumanian Prime Minister, Antonescue, does not attempt to justify himself. He merely repeats that, having pledged his word as a soldier to the Germans when he thought they would be victorious, he is now bound to stand by them. The Rumanians might have tried to break away from the Germans but for the fear that the Nazis would restore the Iron Guard regime. The Iron Guard leader, Horia Sima, and about 1000 Iron Guard toughs trained in Gestapo and Storm Troop technique, are at present kept in readiness in Germany for despatch to Rumania at a moment’s notice. This prospect terrifies the Rumanians. Secret organisations are preparing to fight the Iron Guard if they are brought back to Rumania. A fear that the Hungarians might take advantage of the situation and attempt to annex the remainder of Transylvania is an additional Rumanian anxiety. King Michael and the Queen Mother are pathetically helpless figures surrounded by German spies.