GREAT CHANGES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 September 1940, Page 6

GREAT CHANGES

NEW REGIME IN RUMANIA POWERS OF KING CUT TO MINIMUM. ANTONESCU’S PROGRAMME (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 10.55 a.m.) BUCHAREST, September 5. The decree suspending Parliament, limits King Carol’s powers and makes General Antonescu a virtual dictator. King Carol must obtain the Premier’s consent for the appointment of ministers, but may mint money, bestow decorations, grant reprieves and conclude treaties. General Antonescu is forming a new Government, which it is believed will be composed almost entirely of members of the Iron Guard. For the first rime since King Carol came to the throne, the Premier took the oath before forming a Cabinet. General Antonescu has issued a proclamation stating: “We haven’t a new Government, but a new regime. I am constituting the Government on a new basis and presenting the people with a new programme which they can judge for themselves. It will be purely a national programme, based upon national faith. I shall reform the State by this step.” General Antonescu demanded the dismissal of King Carol’s ring of intimate advisers. King Carol’s righthand man, M Urdarlanu, whose title is Marshal of the Royal Court, has resigned. CAROL RELUCTANT HEDGES BEFORE SIGNING DECREE. REFUSAL TO BANISH MADAME LUPESCU. (Received This Day, 10.55 a.m.) LONDON, September 5. The Associated Press of Great Britain’s Bucharest correspondent says King Carol hedged for hours before he signed the decree. General Antonescu also demanded the banishment of Madame Lupescu, but King Carol threatened to leave Rumania with her. ASSURANCE TO AXIS * TIES TO BE STRENGTHENED. (Received This Day, 11 a.m.) BUCHAREST, September 5. General Antonescu announced that he is strengthening his Axis ties. He will not complete his Cabinet for several days. It is unlikely to include Dr Maniu (Peasant Party Leader). A Rome radio message stated that General Antonescu had given an assurance that Rumania will continue to honour her Transylvania pledges. The Iron Guard revolt is now under control. A Budapest message states that the Regent (Admiral Horthy) astride a white horse, accompanied by leading officials, led troops across the frontier into Satumare this morning. Thirty thousand people wildly cheered. FIGHTING IN BUCHAREST FURTHER DEMONSTRATIONS BY IRON GUARD. TROOPS CLEARING STREETS. (Received This Day, 11.0 a.m.) LONDON, September 5. Reuter's Bucharest correspondent says heavy firing is in progress in Bucharest. Further Iron Guard demonstrations broke out in the evening. Troops armed with machine-guns are clearing the streets. KING CAROL DEMAND FOR ABDICATION ALLEGED. GENERAL ANTONESCU'S REQUEST General Antonescu, according, to a Daventry broadcast, saw King Carol and suggested he should yield to the general demand for his abdication.