CALL FOR RESISTANCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 September 1940, Page 5

CALL FOR RESISTANCE

MANY DEMONSTRATIONS IN RUMANIA GAS BOMBS AND FIRE HOSES USED BY TROOPS. HUNGARY READY TO USE FORCE. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrighti LONDON, September 2. Rumanian bitterness and fury again Germany at the ceding of most of Transylvania to Hungary has found expression in widespread demonstrations, the Rumanian Army is evacuating northern Translyvania. A Reuter’s message says that very strong feeling has been aroused among the Rumanians, and Germany may use the demonstrations as a pretext for occupying Transylvania and even Rumania itself. Hungary has prepared a force of 180,000 to occupy the ceded area if the disorders necessitate action before the evacuation schedule is drawn up. The Balkans correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says demonstrations are growing in northern Transylvania, causing widespread damage and many serious injuries. Protest meetings Jn Bucharest shouted: “Not an inch for the Magyars!” Soldiers with machine-guns surrounded the meetings, solidly blocked all the streets leading to the Royal Palace, and made charges with fixed bayonets to disperse mobs who were attempting to reach the palace. The mobs reassembled, and the soldiers used gas bombs and fire hoses, whereupon the crowds went off to the Hungarian Legation. One of the aides of the Peasant Party leader, Dr Maniu. in a fiery speech called for resistance, and crowds chorussed, “We want to fight the Hungarians.” Armoured cars are patrolling the streets.

A "committee of resistance” has been formed in Cluj, in northern Transylvania. Elsewhere peasants, armed with pitchforks and shot guns, have taken up the positions which the army abandoned.

Reports from Cluj, an earlier message states, declare that troops who

were dispatched there in order to break up the demonstrations joined the crowds who were protesting against the Veinna decision.

The leader of the Peasant Party, Dr Maniu, is reported to have had another interview with King Carol today. He is now on his way to Cluj in northern Transylvania, where, says the' British United Press, crowds are marching through the streets declaring themselves ready to resist Hungary.

Official quarters in Budapest say that two Hungary army corps will march at once if the demonstrations in Transylvania do not stop. Associated Press reports from Bucharest say that members of the German minority were among the inhabitants of Translyvania who have demonstrated most violently against being handed over to Hungary, but the German news agency says that reports of such riots have been denied in Bucharest.

The German news agency quoted a Bucharest telegram, which stated that there was a big demonstration there against the Vienna award. Police intervention With armpured cars and hose-pipes finally succeeded in dispersing the crowds. There.were some arrests. The square in front of the Royal Palace was roped off and the whole of the city patrolled by armed police. While the Germans were giving this account to the outside world, a totally different story was being told for publication in the German Press. According to this, all stories of disorders and riots in Transylvania were the result of English invention, and authoritative circles in Bucharest are reported as saying there is complete calm in Transylvania.