SCENES IN BUCHAREST

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 22762, 10 November 1945, Page 5

SCENES IN BUCHAREST

! COMMUNIST ATTEMPT TROOPS OPEN FIRE (By Tel.—Press Assn.—Copyright) LONDON, Nov. 8 At least six persons were killed ; and a number wounded in Bucharest . when troops guarding the Royal ■ Square before the Palace machineI gunned the crowds after Communists | had attempted to break up a demonstration in honour of King j Michael’s birthday. ! Fighting started when lorries and ; buses loaded with Communists, wav- ! ing clenched fists and shouting . “Long Live the Groza Government,” | swept into the royal square among i a crowd of 40,000 to 50,000 cele- ; j brating the King's birthday. Des- j ! pite a Government order prohibiting j such observances the trucks and 1 ! buses weaved in and out of the crowd 1 for two hours. | The crowd several times seemed Jon the point of breaking up, but : persistently reassembled. The crowd j overwhelmed two of the trucks, | which overturned and were set on ! fire. The remainder of the convoy j j withdrew. | Firing began just before noon and j i has been carried on intermittently 1 j ever since. Smsll groups are still i facing the troops at the entrances to j the square. | The crowd, while in possession of j j the square, tore down posters carryi ing Government slogans. Russians j held aloof from the incidents.