CLAIMS BY RUMANIA

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21176, 27 July 1940, Page 8

CLAIMS BY RUMANIA

“FORCE IF NECESSARY” DIPLOMATIC MANOEUVRES VISIT TO DICTATORS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received July 27, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, July 26 Twelve hours after the conclusion of Hitler’s conference with M. Gigurtu and M. Maniolescu, a semi-official statement issued at Bucharest emphasised Rumania’s desire for peace but affirmed determination to defend her territorial integrity with force if necessary. It was simultaneously reported from Budapest that Hungary to-night called thousands more men to the army, including those previously released for harvesting. The Rumanian delegates are now en route to Rome to meet Mussolini, while the Bulgarian and Slovakian representatives are going to Germany. Berchtesgaden Conference A German statement after the Berchtsgaden conference said the conversations reflected friendliness in German-Rumanian relations. Inspired German sources declared that Rumania is willing to make concessions to Bulgaria and Hungary. Despite the latest military activity it is generally considered in Hungary that Rumania had yielded, or would under pressure yield, a strip of Western Transylvania to Hungary. A Rumanian statement says: “The visit of M. Gigurtu and M. Maniolescu to Germany and Italy demonstrated Rumania’s desire to contribute effectively to the common life of the Danubian Balkan States and the maintenance of peace in Southeastern Europe. Rumania would assist in the creation of the necessary agreements without renouncing her national patrimony.

Rumania Determined “All suggestions that Rumania is ready for renunciations are unfounded. Rumania is firmly determined to defend her national interests with force if necessary. The Government is fulfilling its pacific task with the support of a united public and Army.” Eight of 20 Frenchmen expelled from Rumania have already crossed the frontier. The Minister of the Interior states that all those expelled were those mentioned in the German White Book as connected with an Allied sabotage plot. Russia is a silent spectator of the diplomatic manoeuvring in the Balkans, although the Moscow press continues to accuse Rumania of illtreating the Bessarabians and threatens “frontier measures” if the atrocities are repeated.