URGENT NEED FOR ACTION

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 151, 22 March 1939, Page 11

URGENT NEED FOR ACTION

No Time For Conference With Other Powers

BRITISH VIEW OF SOVIET PLAN

Immediate Attack On Rumania Discounted (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright,) (Received March 21,11.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 21. It is understood that the Cabinet yesterday considered a Soviet suggestion that Britain should call an immediate conference between the Foreign Ministers of Britain, France, the Soviet, Poland, and the Balkan States. It is stated, however, that, though the chances of an early attack on Rumania are now discounted in London, the Cabinet feels that the need for action is so urgent in a situation so liable to produce a new crisis without warning that there is no time for a full-dress conference, which would also have the disadvantage of taking important Ministers from key points at a ' critical time. According to well-informed people the Soviet Ambassador, M. Maisky, made the suggestion during a meeting with the Foreign Secretary, Lord Halifax, at which M. Maisky promised immediately to consult his Government regarding the British invitation to join a common front. Lord Halifax is reported to have asked whether Britain could rely on the full military support of the Soviet. M. Maisky, in reply, was unable to undertake any commitment beyond the current treaty obligations, but said that the Soviet Foreign Commissar was most anxious to discuss the situation. Reuters understands that the British Government will remain in communication with the Soviet, Polish, Rumanian, Yugoslavian, Turkish, and Bulgarian Governments in reference to the situation in Central Europe, and that in the meantime precautionary measures have been taken in various directions with the approval of the leader of the Labour Party. The “Evening Standard” says that the belief is growing that German military action against Rumania is unlikely at present, because in the first place there are inadequate roads and railways in Carpatho-Ukraine, secondly the Iron Guard is now impotent, and thirdly no efforts have been made to foment trouble among the German and Hungarian minorities in Rumania. A Bucharest message states that there is no sign of alarm‘in Rumania. King Carol’s advisers have told him that there is no cause to fear an immediate attack either from Germany or Hungary.

POWERS CONTINUE WARLIKE PREPARATIONS

Hungarian And Rumanian Troops Now Face To Face LONDON, March 20. The Budapest correspondent of “The Times” states that the partial Hungarian mobilization continues, but computation of numbers is impossible. Complete mobilization may be decreed shortly. German and Italian material brought in during 1938 includes 5000 trucks and thousands of motor-cars capable of mounting machine-guns. The equipment of the infantry, apparently from Austria, is brand new, but the morale of the troops is poor and the men are dejected. Perhaps 5 per cent, of the total population has been called to the colours. Cars and farm wagons everywhere have been requisitioned, and railway and passenger traffic is disorganized. Everything is directed against Rumania. Hungarian and Rumanian troops are now face to face. Poland has intervened diplomatically but the outlook is not encouraging. The Bucharest correspondent of the British United Press states that 350.000 Rumanians are now under arms, of whom 200.000 are in Transylvania ready to march at a moment’s notice. Air force reservists have been called up and army leave has been cancelled. It is estimated that in case of war Rumania could mobilize 2.000.000 men. though equipment for them al) is not at present available. An inspired statement issued in Budapest explaining the military measures states that “in view of the Rumanian concentration on the frontier of additional normal effective forces Hungary has taken similar measures which are customary in reply to unusual troop movements in neighbouring countries.” It is officially announced that the occupation of Ruthenia has been completed. It is declared that the Hungarians and the Carpatho-Ukrainians will henceforth have eqt'ial status as free citizens and that there will be no discrimination on the ground of religion. The Riithenians are unlikely to be placed 'imler minoritv status