The Washington times., 1934-01-02
REACTION SEEN
. BOD|NG I'LL
FORNAz|S
h ~s
Indignation in Balkans Rises
Against SWastika Cross,
Says H. R. Knickerbocker

W LHG ,TpUhS " NuSt OCIHCUHy
opponents, in the opinion OF H.
r. Knickerbocker, noted foreign
correspondent and Pulitzer price
tDinner. In the toIIo1Dilg article,
Knickerbocker traces the causes
and effects of Premier DucG'S
assassination.
BY II. r. KNICKERBOCKER
Copyright. 1884. by international News
production in Whole or Part
PrOhibIted.)
VIENNA, Jan. 2 SO.-The
shots that killed Premier Ion G.
Duca, Of Rumania, echoed
throughout the Balkans today in
q chorus of adherence and in
dignation that bodies i'll for the
Swastika Cross. whether on the
national flag of Germany or on
the sleeves Of terroists abroad.
Rumanian frontiers. streets and
government buildings are pro-
tected now by bayoneted soldiers
under martial law proclaimed by
the new premier. Constantin An
geleschu. but more important than
bayonets is the moral effect Of
the murder on the prospects Of
war in Europe.
May Prevent War
In the last analysis the assas-
sination probably will help TO
prevent war. For whether justi-
fiably or not, the murder is laid
to the moral influence Of the
German Nazis. And its first ef-
feet has been to close up the ranks
Of Germany's opponents.
The murderer, Nicolai ConStan-
tinescu, 26-year-old student, was
a member of the Iron Guard"
who with their green shirts and
from their green houSe-in imi-
tation of Hitler's brown-have
gone forth throughout Rumania
under the sign of the swastika to
cleanse the nation of corruption
and of Jews"
It is the same slogan as that Of
the German Nazis, but the Ru-
nnanian imitators made the fatal
mistake of adopting Nazi terror
ism before they got into power.
Leaders Jailed
Yesterday they claimed three or
four thousand adherents and 100,-
900 members. Today their leaders
are jailed and their members hid
ing,
Duca alive suppressed them.
Duca dead may crush them.
For King Carol, who was no
friend of Duca alive, is now in
cenSed and determined to wipe
out the terrorists. who like the
Russian Black Hundreds took the
law in their own hands, or like
the Russian Nihilists may slay a
premier today but a King tomor-
row.
That is the internal significance
OF the assassination, but the effect
on world politics may prove Of
much greater Importance.
For Germany has been trying,
not without some success, to break
the united front of France and her
allies. The chief factor in that
front is the Little Entente of
Czechoslovakia, Jugoslavia, and
Rumania.
Internal Suspicion
True, the Little Entente early in
1888 entered into a new agreement
binding themselves to all foreign
political intents and purposes into
one great power.
But the fact that the Little
Entente members have found it
necessary in the last few weeks
repeatedly to meet and swear
eternal fealty again and again
proves that each has suspected
the others.
The fact also is that Germany
has approached members of the
Little Entente separately with at
tractiVe offers to turn-coat and
swing into the German bloc.
The Vienna press has just pub
1ished a report that Chancellor
Hitler offered Jugoslavia. the
Carinthian part of Austria if Jugo-
Slavia supports Germany's desire
to obtain Austria.
If Rumania had any inclina-
ton to Succumb to such Nazi al
lures. the murder of DR.. Duca
has made her more resolved than
ever to stay true to her French
alliance.
Carols WreathS on Coffin
The Iron Guard. anti-French
and pro German, apparently
dreamed of a swastika empire
from the Baltic to the Black Sea
with greater Nazi Rumania as
a federal member" of Hitler's
Third Reich.
It was allegedly loyal to the
king, but its slogan death to the
jews" failed o please the man
who originally sacrificed his thron
for his Jewish sweetheart.
Today King Carols back has
been stiffened against the Iron
Guards menace, Rumania's fealty
to France has been put beyond
reproach, the Little Entente
braves Germany with increased
resolution.
Duca's death may prove a sacri-
flee to peace.
It's victim lies in state today
with Carols royal wreaths upon
his coffin.