OIL FOR GERMANY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24422, 7 October 1940, Page 8

OIL FOR GERMANY

RUMANIAN SUPPLIES BRITONS MALTREATED FURTHER REPORTS ON ARRESTS LONDON, Oct. 5. (Received Oct. 6, at 7 p.m.) A Bucharest message states that a new Rumanian-German trade agreement has been concluded, increasing Germany’s allotment of Rumanian petrol products, but cutting down on grain supplies, “ owing to the cession of territory decreasing Rumanian crops.” It has been announced that Mr Percy Clark, who was tricked into leaving his hotel in Bucharest and kidnapped by three men, has been released after his home was searched for documents. Britons Forced to Leave It is learned that 150 Britons have left the Rumanian oilfields, and many have been obliged to leave the country. Major Dumitrescu, of the Rumanian Ai'my, has been held for questioning about his relations with British oil-workers and also his connection with an alleged sabotage plot. An earlier message from Bucharest stated that the Rumanian police advised the British Legation that Mr Alexander Miller had been located and was detained at local police headquarters. Members of the British Legation staff, after seeing Mr Miller, stated that he had been subjected to the third degree and beaten during the 48 hours in which he was held bv kidnappers. “ Brutal Hooliganism ”

It is officially stated in Bucharest that the arrested Britons will be tried by the courts. Professor Esk, a French journalist, is reported to have been arrested for complicity in a British sabotage plot. Confirmation reached London yesterday of the kidnapping in Bucharest of Mr Percy Clark, the seventh British subject so treated. No further developments have occurred in regard to the other detained men, and no further report has been received from the Consul regarding the conditions of the five men who areHn the hands of the police and who, when last seen, bore signs of maltreatment.

While it is recognised that the brutal hooliganism of which Mr Miller and Mr Clark are the latest victims owes its origin to German elements, indignation here is acute, and it is felt that the Rumanian Government cannot escape responsibility for this uncivilised conduct.