Evening star., 1940-07-25
Rumania Shipping
Oil 10 Germany
Al Record Rate
July Totol Of ls0, 900
Tons BoIsters Reich
For Attack on Brituin
By LELAND STOWE.

chicago Daily news Forelgn correspondent.
BUCHAREST, July 25-An war
time records for shipments Of Ru-
manian oil into Germany are being
broken this month as fuel for the
Fuehrer's offensive against Great
Britain is being sped northward in
unprecedented amounts by barges
and tank cars. Petroleum officials
estimate the July shipments at ap-
proximately 10000 tons, whereas
Germany was only able to obtain
388, 900 tons during the first six
months Of this year. It was said
that the Nazis' July purchases alone
would keep 5000 airplanes COM
pletely fueled for more than q month.
But Rumania's huge oil faucets
have just begun to spout in the
direction of the Third Reich. BY
taking over the operation Of the
British-Dutch companies Of Astra
Romano, yesterday, the Rumaf,ian
government has gained administra-
tive control Of the enterprise which
produces 20 per cent Of the country's
oil.
Naturalization Door Open.
1t seems probable that the govern
ment oil commissar, acting under
the wide powers Of the July 8 decree,
will eventually become overseer Of
other foreign-controlled companies.
At least, the door is open for ma
tionalization Of oil companies to As
great a degree as present or future
Bucharest governments may decide
1t is necessary.
Foreign officials In the oil indus
try fear that similar action is most
likely against two other important
British-controlled companies, the
Steaua Romano and the Unirea,
which together account for another
70 per cent Of Rumanian oil produc-
tion. It is believed that govern
mental operation of the two French
controlled companies, with their "a
per cent Of production. may not be-
come expedient since France is now
out Of the war. But British-con-
trolled companies, which have been
producing more than AZ per cent of
the nations output, are certainly
due to be scrutinized and supervised
most carefully.
Until yesterday the British-Neth
erlands firm Of Astra Romano had
refused to sell a single tank car
OF Oil to Germany since the war
began. Since Astra Romano is the
biggest oil-producing company in
Rumania it played a major role in
keeping down, Germany's oil pur-
chases here to a mere fraction
OF her monthly allotment of 10000
tons. Thereafter the Rumanian
governments commissar will de-
termine how large a proportion of
Astra's production will be sold to
Hitler's Reich.
5000 More Cars Available.
The sharp upward increase in oil
shipments to Germany dates from
the establishment of the Gieurtu
pro-Nazi government here on July
4. Since then 5000 additional tank
cars have been placed at the dis
posal OF the Germans, and they are
also using more than 200 oil barges
on the Danube with impressive ef-
ficiency.
According to every indication, the
Germans have won the battle for
Rumanian oil, and they will bend
every effort to improve transporta-
ton facilities in order to absorb q
constantly increasing amount of
the 100000, 900 gallons which are
now stored In Rumania. Active in
tervention here by Soviet Russia
would seem the only means by
which oil shipments to Germany
might be diminished or jeopardized.
1t is still unpredictable how far
the Soviets are willing to 60 against
German interests in Rumania. It
cannot be doubted for q moment,
however, that Russian ambitions
and desires in this country have
been by no means satisfied as yet.
(Copyright. 1910, BY Chicago Daily News.
l Ynel