EVENTS IN RUMANIA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 March 1940, Page 5

EVENTS IN RUMANIA

REHABILITATION OF IRON GUARD

TROUBLED OUTLOOK OPENED.

REPORTED REJECTION OF NAZI OFFER.

By Telegraoh—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, March 17.

Germany is reported to have offered Rumania frontier guarantees from Russia and Hungary on the following terms: Rumanian demobilisation, the installation of German experts in Rumanian industry and agriculture, a virtual monopoly of Rumanian oil and cereal exports, and the appointment of a member of the Iron Guard as a Cabinet Minister.

Official circles in Bucharest told the correspondent of the British Associated Press that King Carol and Cabinet had considered the offer, but that King Carol was adamant in his refusal of the offer, principally because of a demand that a member of the Iron Guard should be included in the Cabinet. The Rumanian Government, which? has stoutly denied for months that negotiations have been proceeding with the Iron Guard, now declares that the Iron Guard has submitted to the Government, but that there is no question of the representatives of the Iron Guard joining the Cabinet or of the Foreign Minister, M. Gafencu, resigning. J <- A communique announced that the Prime Minister, M. Tatarescu, received a delegation from the Iron Guard, who declared their allegiance to King Carol. Members of the Guard who have been taking refuge in Germany and other countries are streaming to Rumania, all having been included in the amnesty. Those who were expelled from the Public Service are being reinstated with honour and damages and pensions will be paid to the widows of the executed members of the Iron Guard, including the murderers of the then Prime Minister, M. Calinescu, only six months ago. Their remains will be exhumed for ceremonial burial in conseciated ground. ~ _ The rehabilitation of the Iron Guard is being interpreted as the inauguration of a new regime of internal disturbances, bombings, and assassinations unless Rumania submits to German political and commercial encroachment. • A manifesto issued by the kon Guard uses the phrase, “Tire Guard will continue, as in the past, to make personal sacrifices to conquer the enemy within and without.”