Evening star., 1939-03-20
Rumania StandsFirm
Against Yielding
To Reich Politically
Economic Concessions
To Be Made, However,
by Bucharest
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
BUCHAREST, March 20.-Ru-
mania appeared ready today 20
make economic concessions to Ger
many, but stood firm against the
surrender of any political rights.
Negotiations between DR.. Helmuth
Wohlthat, German trade expert, and
the Rumanian finance ministry were
taking place here. The discussions
were said to be approaching a con-
clusion in an atmosphere Of under
standing on both Sides"
But 1t was also asserted that no
political problems nor German-Ru-
manian relations were being dis
cussed. Rumanians admitted that
their trade with Germany would
be increased to a marked degree.
but they said that the complete
German demands were not being
met. There was to be no yielding
of any political points, they in
sisted.
It was revealed that the German
absorption last week Of Bohemia
Moravia considerably affected the
Rumanian military position. This is
because many of Rumanias guns
and other military equipment were
built by the Skoda Works, now Ill
German hands. The problem Of
getting requirements for these arma-
ments was made difficult.
Looks to West for Aid.
Rumania, like zecho-Slovakia be-
for her, looked to the west for
help in resisting German pressure.
A government spokesman said Ru-
mania hopes to be saved from an
economic dependence on Germany.
which would give it somewhat the
status of a German colony.
The biggest news in Government
circles was the report that the Brit
ish cabinet was considering the
plight Of the Balkins. which lie d.
rectly in the path of the German
"drang mach osten'-drive to the
east.
Details Of negotiations by which
Germany sought to dominate Ru-
manian import and export markets
almost to the exclusion Of the rest
Of the world were unknown to Ru-
manians at large.
100000 Held at Frontiers.
As II to guard her rich oil and
wheat lands pending some settle
ment that would not obliterate her
independence, Rumania held at
least 100000 men, called from
dozen army classes, at her frontiers.
There was no general mobilization
though, nor were any Of the yearly
classes called in full. The standing
army formed the backbone of the
defenses. Authorities said enough
soldiers were at their posts to pre-
vent surprise from any quarter.
Much Of the Rumanian strength
was concentrated along the southern
border Of Carpatho- Ukraine, now
part Of the kingdom of Hungary.
This was the part Of Czecho-Slovakia
Hungary took in the breakup of
tho republic last week; Germany got
the rest.
Rumania and Czecho- -Slovakia,
with Yugoslavia, were partners in
tho Little Entente and were bound
by non-aggression treaties. Now
along the Carpatho- Ukraine border,
RumAnia must reckon with Hun
gary, which has extensive territorial
claims against the Bucharest gov
eminent.
Trade Greatest Worry.
Rumanias greatest worry, how
ever, was over Germany's trade de-
sires. As tho story was told today
In informed quarters the first Ger
man proposals, several weeks ago,
contemplated German absorption of
about so per cent of Rumanian pc
troleum and agricultural products.
It was reliably reported that 1t
also was proposed that the Ruma-
nian lei bear some definite, fixed
relation to the value of the German
mark and that German enterprise
be given concessions for the manu-
facture Of cellulose products in the
1orested delta of the Danube.
Then came the unforeseen Ger
man coup in Czecho- -Slovakia. Ap-
parently stimulated by this success
Germany was said to have increased
her economic pressure on Rumania
Rumania awoke to q realization
that tho German demand for trade
coAcAASionS Ynirtt he ey,,yho ej1ad b,,