SERIOUS CONCERN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 July 1941, Page 6

SERIOUS CONCERN

OVER EFFECTS OF SABOTAGE IN RUMANIA RUIN IN THE OILFIELDS. WORK OF FIFTH COLUMNISTS. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.50 p.m.) LONDON, July 20. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Istanbul correspondent says it is reliably reported that the Rumanian Government is seriously concerned about the ever-growing effects of sabotage, especially in the oilfields, in which so-called Communists are co-operating with the Soviet agents responsible. It now appears that Fifth Columnists, not Soviet bombers, are responsible for most of the devastation in Ploesti, Tillcea, Sulina and Constanta. The last-named is described as one huge area of ruins. Sabotage and other co-operation with the Russians cannot be the work of Communists, because all are either exterminated oi gaoled. The majority of the Rumanians have not forgiven General 1 Antonescu for subserving Rumania s true interests io Germany. The Rumanian High Command has issued only five communiques since the outbreak of war, apparently because the carnage among Rumanian troops is so great and progress. is so disproportionate, that they cannot risk the public reaction. The Moscow radio all day has been calling on Serbs and Croats to join the great army of saboteuis, saying: “Do any damage you can, derail trains, blow up bridges, destroy factories, cut telephone wires and arise to overthrow the foreign usurpers.”