Evening star., 1946-08-11
Romanian Exile GrouI
I'm Paris Sends Mercy
Plea 10 Conference
BY Hol O'FIoherty
Foreign Correspondent Of Tn. s,or ond
the chieoso Dolly New,

Foreign Correspondent OF The Stor ond
the cheoso Dolly New,
PARIS, Aug. 10.-An appeal for
mercy on behalf of Romania has
been addressed to the president and
all delegations attending the Paris
conference.
The plea is in the form Of a
memorial written by group of Ro-
manian patriots living in exile, in
cluding Grigore Gafencu, former
Romanian Foreign Minister. There
fore, it may be free from the re-
straint imposed on the present
members of the Romanian govern
ment by Russia
Beginning with a review of Ro-
mania's fight for collective security,
the Romanian patriots tell a story
OF Germany's attack, the failure of
the western powers to make good on
their promises of help, and of de-
feat and occupation. Following the
Germans came Russia, then an
ally of Hitler. Romania was parti-
toned, with Bessarabia going to
Russia.
Forced to Aid Reich.
Then, when Germany and Russia
fell apart and Hitler attacked his
strongest ally, Romania was forced
into the war on Germany's side, the
memorial says.
One section of the document saws
Romania was fighting reluctantly
against it's friends.
The main thesis Of the memorial
however, is that the treaty now pro-
posed by the four ma jor powers in
validates the original armistice be-
tween Romania and the United Ma
tions. signed at Moscow September
II, 1914. Article I of that armistice
states that Russian troops would
enter Romanian territory with the
aim of restoring Romania's indie
pendence and sovereignty. The
peace treaty should, according to the
memorial, establish the principle of
Romania's independence and en-
body measures to enforce this aim
with free elections, and, above all,
an immediate end to military occu-
patton.
In September, 1914, Soviet Min
lister Molotov stated in the presence
of the United States and British
Ambassadors that Soviet troops
would leave Romania Immediately
after the war ended with Germany
and Hungary.
10000 Reds Remain.
Today, more than year after
hostilities ceased, approximately
100000 Soviet troops still are on
Romania's SOIL
Also, reliable estimates show that
Romania in the past II months has
paid Russia the equivalent of $780,
900, 900, or more than II times the
amount of s50,000,0O0 specified in
the armistice terms. The cost of
maintaining Russia S immense mill
tary forces has amounted to S219,-
GOO. 900. 1t is further estimated that
looting, acquisitions and confisca-
tlons by Russia have amounted to
s256 100000. On top of this, Russia
also demanded that all destruction
caused by Romania on Soviet ter
ritory be replaced
The peace treaty as 1t stands de-
mands that Romania pay $500, ,0O0,-
900, based on the gold value of the
dollar, within six years.
Commission Is Urged.
The memorandum asks that A
commission, composed of the United
Nations Ministers in Romania. be
established to fix the amounts 1t
must pay.
Another element of Russia's al
legged attempt to absorb Romania
is contained in a paragraph de-
voted to the curious mixed Ro-
manian-Soviet societies known as
"Sovrom." Through this device the
memorial says, Romania has been
forced to surrender her economic
independence to Russia. Both ma
tions share in these societies, on
the basis of so per cent to each, but
Romania must provide SO per cent
OF the assets. The "Sovrom" socie-
ties are intended to control all of
Romania's business.
The group of patriots submit
ting this appeal have with them
DR.. Juliu Manu-, 72-year-old Ro-
manian peasant leader, who directs
what little opposition is permitted
against the present Groza govern
ment in Bucharest.