Wairarapa Times-Age THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 1939. THE FATE OF RUMANIA.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 March 1939, Page 6

Wairarapa Times-Age THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 1939. THE FATE OF RUMANIA.

t THE political leaders of Rumania have emphasized the determination of that country to fight to the bitter end should there come an attack from Germany or her allies. Rumania is certainly placed in a perilous position through Germany being able to strike at her through Hungaiy and Czeeho-Slovakia. Rumania’s salvation, however, lies largely in the hands of Russia, for it is the Russians alone who can save her should she be faced with an invasion in the near future. The protection and saving of Rumania is of vital importance to Russia. Rumania is the buffer between Russia, and Germany, 'who has long had her eyes on the vast fields of. raw material which are available in Russia. Rumania is well supplied with other allies. Yugoslavia, with the best army in Southern Europe, is an ally of Rumania. With a peace time strength of 150,000 men, Yugoslavia has two and a half million trained troops who know how to fight in the best Servian traditions. Serbs and Croats have stood side by side in Yugoslavia whenever danger threatened their frontier. Poland, too, is an ally of Rumania, and she has a peace army of 300,000 and a. reserve force of three and a. half million trained men. But Poland is not an ally that can be relied upon, though in the present European crisis she may decide that it is more profitable Io honour her treaties. The fate of Czeeho-Slovakia demonstrated that treaties really mean nothing, but smaller nations now realize where treaty breaking would lead them.

It is easy to see why Hitler desires to obtain control of Rumania. To fight a ‘ major war he must have oil from Rumania; but the oilfields are all in the east of the country and Hitler would have to over-run practically every province before he could command the wells. If Hitler has to use force to consolidate Rumania in particular and Southern Europe in general he will require to scatter his men over several fronts; a thing he does not wish to do. While Hitler has obtained rich military booty in Czeeho-Slovakia he is faced in that country with a sullen people, and it is necessary for him to proceed cautiously in putting into operation any further schemes for obtaining control of additional country. A war at the moment would not at all favour Hitler’s plans, because he would face internal (roubles of a most, serious nature.

Though Rumania can mobilise quickly a very large army, il would not be very modernised in its equipment. Rumania, too, is an easy country for an invader to over-run. So in the circumstances, much depends on what assistance Rumania’s allies can give. If hostilities were to break out, Russia would assuredly be drawn into the conflict, and Britain and France would certainly require to back Rumania and Russia, because the former Powers could not afford to allow Germany to further tighen her grip on Europe. Germany’s strategy is doubtless to be able to concentrate her power on a drive against France while her rear is protected. Theoretically, the latter has been assured by the removal of the menace of Czechoslovakia. The second important part of Hitler’s scheme is to be in a position to resist a siege. Germany must have food for her people and oil for her machines, and it is Southern Europe which would provide these. Determination by Britain and France to resist Hitler seizing further territory might bring about war, but the Fuhrer may hold the view that he would have a better chance of success if he could put off that war to a future date when the wounds of “ravished Europe” have healed-