ALLEGED ULTIMATUM

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 March 1939, Page 5

ALLEGED ULTIMATUM

REPORTED GERMAN DEMANDS ON RUMANIA

SAID TO HAVE BEEN REJECTED REPORTS TO SOME EXTENT IN CONFLICT By Telegraph.—Press Association. —Copyright. LONDON. March 19. The Rumanian Government has rejected proposals put forward by Herr Wohlthat, head of the German economic mission, that Rumania should gradually close down her factories and devote herself exclusively to agriculture and export all her grain, oil, lumber, and cattle to Germany in return for a guarantee of territorial integrity and independence, states "The Times.” Herr Wohlthat also suggested that Rumania should by degrees cease her efforts to build up a national industry. In view of this throat all the political leaders, including M. Julius Manu, former Prime Minister and leader of the National Peasant Party, who retired from public life because of disagreement with Government policy, have joined together. Reuter’s Bucharest correspondent 'says authoritative quarters describe as fantastic the report of the German economic ultimatum. They declare that the negotiations are continuing normally and in a friendly manner. However, the same agency in London says that well informed circles ,in London confirm the report of "The Times” regarding Germany’s demands against Rumania. The “Sunday Dispatch” asserts that King Carol personally appealed to George VI following Germany’s economic ultimatum. The Rumanian Minister, M. Tilea, supplemented it by an appeal during an interview with Lord Halifax. The “Sunday Times” understands that M. Tilea emphasised the gravity of the situation, declaring that 44 German' divisions, including 22 in Czechoslovakia, were preparing to move eastward.

GERMAN TROOPS RAPID MARCH EASTWARD. CZECH ARMY CONFINED TO BARRACKS. • (Received This Day, 10.40 a.m.) LONDON, March 19 The “Exchange’s” Bucharest correspondent says a majority of the German troops quartered in Prague have left the city and are rapidly moving eastwards. The disarmed Czech Army is rigorously confined to barracks. AN EARLIER REPORT NAZI ADVANCE THROUGH RUTHENIA. HALT ON ROUMANIAN FRONTIER PROMISED. (Independent Cable Service.) ) LONDON, March 19. Messages from Bucharest state that the German troops are continuing

their march to Ruthenia but it is reported that Germany has given assurances that the march will halt at the Rumanian frontier. Hungary and Poland have begun political and military talks aimed at strengthening the security -of their joint frontier. COMMENT PREMATURE RUMANIA ENGAGED IN NEGOTIATIONS. NO STATEMENT YET MADE BY GOVERNMENT. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.30 a.m.) RUGBY, March 19. The situation regarding Rumania awaits clarification. As is known, the Rumanian Government is engaged in commercial negotiations with representatives of the German Government at Bucharest. Pending a statement on behalf of the Rumanian Government following these negotiations, comment on Rumania’s attitude towards the crisis is regarded here as premature.