NEW RUMANIAN DICTATORSHIP

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21212, 7 September 1940, Page 8

NEW RUMANIAN DICTATORSHIP

King Carol of Rumania by abdication has reached another crisis in his affairs as a result of the partitioning of his country and the upheaval that has inevitably followed. Whether the foundations of the throne will be strong enough to withstand the continuous shocks remains to be seen, but in the meantime General Antonescu has usurped the King's place as dictator of Rumania. The whole country has reached a condition in which anything might happen, and it is not improbable that either Russia or Germany, or possibly both, might decide to step in and seize Rumania under cover of the general confusion.

The grip of authority is rapidly slipping, allegiances are being changed overnight and chaos is perhaps not far distant. It seems that the King no.longer had the necessary influence and power to rally the people to his dictatorial throne. King Carol dissolved Parliament such as it was, suspended the constitution and granted General Antonescu, the Prime Minister, general powers to rule the country. Even Carol’s right-hand man, M. Urdarianu, Marshal of the Royal Court, has resigned, and generally the throne was receding from its proud position of absolute leadership of the Rumanian State. Events marched quickly. Carol was forced to abdicate and the young Prince Michael has been placed on the throne in the hope that the people will rally to him. Unless the new dictator can gather up the broken threads very quickly his reign is not likely to be secure. Both Germany and Russia are eagerly scanning the frontiers, each burning to step in but each restrained by fear of the other. They may hope for and assist the regaining of control by a brother dictator, who may save them from the danger of a clash. Strong measures are indicated in Rumania, and the future looks black indeed for the people. In the meantime Admiral Horthy, Regent of Hungary, has proudly led his forces into the Transylvanian territory under the patronage of Hitler, who to that extent has evened his score with Stalin’s. The Iron Guard is again in the saddle, and its future relations with Germany will be watched with interest.