Rumania
Every country in the Balkans is watching the struggle in Scandinavia with feverish interest, knowing that at any moment the lot of Denmark or Norway may be its own. It has been pointed out that Hungary stands to suffer like Denmark, since she is on the German path to Rumania ; but Rumania, whose oil and wheat, like the Narvik iron-ore route of Norway, tempt the Germans, has the further peril that she does not know what Russia might do on the north or Bulgaria on the south. It is stated that she has mobilised yet more troops and sent some of them to Bessarabia and to the Bulgarian frontier. Meantime, within her borders, and especially at Bucharest, there are ceaseless evidences of German activity. Dr. Clodius's economic mission is near its end. The promises of petrol and wheat that he has secured are less than he had hoped for, and it is unlikely that he will get as much as has been promised, and wheat exports, except as provided for under existing contracts, are now prohibited. So far as petrol and heavy oil are concerned, the Government has every reason for conserving stocks for its own use. The example afforded by Norway of treachery from within is causing the greatest concern regarding the 700,000 Rumanian citizens of German stock and the thousands of German visitors now residing in Bucharest and the industrial areas. Decrees have been published requiring persons in certain military zones to provide themselves with passes, and there is talk of expelling superfluous foreigners.
Previous page
