The Evening Star TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1940. GERMANY AND RUMANIA.

Evening Star, Issue 23701, 8 October 1940, Page 6

The Evening Star TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1940. GERMANY AND RUMANIA.

Thk reported penetratiou of Rumania by Germans representing the army, the navy, and industry is most likely a preliminary move in the new methods of waging the war forced on the Axis Powers by Groat Britain’s bold front to invasion throats. Wo have indicated more than once during recent weeks that Hitler would soon be compelled to use his array, the only fighting service that has so far won success for the Nazi cause, in order to maintain pr.estige and stimulate his followers into increased war efforts. Nazi infiltration into Ilurnania has, of course, been going on for some time, and there seems little doubt that the underhand and brutal campaign against British subjects In the oilfields districts can be traced to the influence of Hitler’s agents. It is significant that news of orders to inarch openly into the country should have followed so soon after the Axis talks on the Brenner Pass. Sharp point is now lent to the report given out at that time that Germany and Italy had decided to prepare for a long war. Without adequate oil supplies the German war machine cannot function through-out-the course of a lengthy campaign, and it appears obvious enough that the only way to make sure of securing the bulk of the Rumanian product is to launch still another of those “ protective ” invasions which have become a specialty of the scheming Reich. This winter the Nazis will wish to have the difficulties of transport reduced to a minimum. It will be remembered that last year the frozen Danube and the uncertain reaction of the peoples who dwelt along its banks were sources of worry to tb'e Nazi High Command.

Brora the information available at the moment German army units appear to have occupied the oil-producing areas on each side of Bucharest, while naval representatives are reported to have gone on to the Black Sea with the intention of establishing a base on its shores. What use could be found for a naval base on the Black Sea unless there is some assurance of the goodwill of both Russia and Turkey is not at all clear. A message despatched from London ou September 20 quoted diplomatic commentators as saying that one of the Axis aims in Rumania has been to examine Moscow’s reactions and intentions. It should not be long now before Hie world, puzzled over the sometimes parallel, sometimes antagonistic, policies of Germany and Russia, will be given a more revealing insight info the actual relationship. Talk of a military alliance between the Axis and Hungary, Rumania, and Bulgaria has also been mentioned as a possibility. Such an alliance could well be intended to impress Turkey, who holds the Dardanelles key to the Mediterranean, with the weight of arms pressing down through the Balkans. As the London ‘ Times ’ points nut, Turkey’s alliance -with Greece is proof against intimidation, and has been a. powerful factor in encouraging Greece in her firm stand

against Italy’s threats. Whatever hapipeiis, it is quite apparent from every angle that the Mediterranean is to become the main scene of conflict.