Evening star., 1953-04-05
Romania Cuts
Prison Terms
As Russia Did
Speculation on Outis
And Sanders Stirred
IfOther Satellites Act
BY the Assoeioted Press

LONDON, April 4.-The Soviet
satellite regime in Romania an
nounced tonight it is opening
prison gates for many convicts
like the Malenkov government
in Moscow did a week ago. It
said prosecutions also would be
eased in Romania.
The announcement broadcast
by Bucharest Radio said pris-
oners serving sentences of not
more than two years would be
freed.
Sentences of all other pris-
oners were reduced and prosecu-
ton will be dropped in Romania
for many persons now awaiting
trial. it said.
The Bucharest announcement
was followed with immediate and
keen interest in London and
other diplomatic capitals. Many
diplomats here took the view
that Eastern Communist chiefs
want to ease internal tensions
and at the same time throw sops
to the West in order to give the
Reds time to consolidate their
powers.
Kremlin Order Suspected.
Most available observers said
they were certain that Romania's s
action was dictated by the
Kremlin.
The Romanian broadcast gave
no exact description of crimes
for which pardons are being
issued.
The decree touched off quick
speculation in London whether
other Soviet satellite countries
may follow suit.
Notable prisoners in the satel.
l1teS include Edgar Sanders.
British businessman in Jail in
Hungary, and William N. Oats.
Associated Press correspondent.
serving 10 years in Czechoslo-
vakia. Both were jailed on spy
charges that have been described
on this side of the Iron Curtain
as trumped up.
Romania said remission Of
sentences will be made on a
graduated scale and sentences
up 70 two years will be quashed;
on sentences up to four years,
the first two years will be
QuaShed and the remaining two
years will be reduced to 16
months.
First Satellite Action.
On sentences between four
and eight years the first two
years will be quashed, the second
two years cut one third and time
over four years cut by one-half,
the broadcast said: on sentences
over eight years the same prin-
ciples will apply with the part
over eight years reduced by two
thirds.
Romania is the first Soviet
satellite to declare an amnesty
since the Malenkov regime made
It's surprise announcement free
ing many short-term prisoners
on March %.
Observers here Immediately
how the new Ro-
mania edict might affect the
fortunes of Ana Pauker. a for
ner Kremlin favorite who was
Romanian foreign minister.
There has been a welter OF
rumors as to the whereabouts
If the woman Communist leader
since she was fired last spring
from all her posts in the Ro-
nanian government and Com-
nunist Party for alleged devia-
ion.
One report said she was about
% be brought to trial. Another
said she was recovering from a
nervous breakdown in Russia.
Briton Freed in Russia.
The Russian amnesty a week
ago ordered the freeing of So
1iet prisoners serving five-year
terms or less providing their
crimes represented mo great
danger to the state" At least
one foreigner. a Briton, also has
been freed under the Soviet am
1esty.
The Russian decree, issued by
he presidium of the Supreme
Soviet, said the pardons had
been made possible by decrease
n crime and by the consolida-
ion of the Soviet state system.
The program extended to most
persons serving five years or less
n prisons. corrective labor. camps
md other places of detention.
of those serving more
han five years were to be re-
luced by half.