RUSSIA OUTMANOEUVRED

Evening Star, Issue 23702, 9 October 1940, Page 8

RUSSIA OUTMANOEUVRED

LATEST NAZI MOVE IN BALKANS EXPLOITATION OF RUMANIAN OIL WELLS SOVIET'S REACTIONS AWAITED WITH INTEREST Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, October 7. •The Times’ says: “Germany secured Rumanian oil by means of intimidation and the establishment of an Administration obedient to her will, whereas capture of the oilfields by military force would have been difficult without Russian co-operation. Since the outbreak of war Rumania’s considerable and increasing use of her own production had been an important factor in limiting the export of oil to Germany, but this consideration is being eliminated because it can be assumed that Germany intends to exploit the oil wells as completely as she is exploiting the resources of countries conquered by war. Russia’s reactions will be watched with interest. Except at the outset, when she scored certain points, Russia has been outmanoeuvred by Germany in this war. The Soviet is no longer in as good a position to assert her influence as during the battle of France, and the despatch of German troops by train across Hungary establishes Hungary as being completely under German domination and having abandoned all pretence at neutrality. “ INSTRUCTIONAL TROOPS " GERMAN FORCES IN RUMANIA BUCHAREST, October 7. It is officially stated that regular German troops have not yet arrived in Rumania, and the despatch of German instructional troops is the normal re»ult of Germany’s guarantee to Rumania under the Vienna award. The German division,_ which is garrisoning chiefly the oil zone, will split up for training eight Rumanian divisions. Italian detachments are expected shortly, since Italy shares the responsibility of Rumania’s new frontiers. Italy may be chiefly responsible for aviation. The Rumanian army naturally wishes real collaboration with the armies of the Axis, and Germany particularly has promised to overhaul the army, for which Rumania will receive effective support from German industry. FLIMSY PRETEXT AXIS AGGRESSION EXCUSE (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 8 (Received October 9, at 9.63 a.m.) The report that Italian troops are associated with the Germans in the advance into Rumania is regarded here rather as an Axis gesture than as an indication that Italy is playing an important part in the latest aggression. Scant attention is also paid here to the form of the words in which the new development was announced to the world, and it is treated merely as a continuation of the policy with which the world is familiar. The pretext for the aggression is too flimsy for serious consideration. Some circumstances attending the new development are, however, a matter of direct concern to Britain. Several leading British businessmen in Rumania have been arrested and subjected to physical violence in order to extort confessions of intended sabotage in the oilfields.

“ These charges,” says ‘ The Times,’ “,are a hollow sham. It would have heen criminal negligence on the part of Rumania not to have made plans for the destruction of the oilwells and other objects of military value. In drawing up such plans British and ' French managers and engineers on the oilfields may well have been consulted, but the Rumanian authorities are guilty of the most revolting hypocrisy when they make such projects the pretext for the brutal maltreatment of British subjects. These things will be remembered in the days of reckoning. The latest movement may be the first of the deeds, not words, we were warned to expect as the result of the Brenner meeting. - If so it is neither very terrifying nor a very significant contribution to the Nazi campaign against Britain.” CLARIFICATION OF SITUATION SOUGHT BY BRITISH MINISTER BUCHAREST, October 8. (Received October 9, at 11.30 a.m.) Sir Reginald Hoare (the British Minister) asked the Rumanian Government to elucidate the situation arising from the apparent intention to garrison German troops at strategic places in Rumania. MORE GERMAN TROOPS REPORTED ! (By Radio.) DAVENTRY, October 9. It is reported that 4,500 more German troops have crossed into Rumania, and that more are on their way down the Danube.