Rumanian secret police arrested King Carol's close friend, M. Victor Samandi, a member of the Crown Council and minister on several occasions, and the leading Rumanian manufacturer, M. Nicolas Malaxa. No reasons were given for their arrest.
At the same|time it was official announced that/the two highest intelligence ofieérs of the Rumanian M. Morosot and Nicolas un, had been dismissed, King Carol's abdication thus clos another chapter in the stormy hi: tory of a monarch, who earlier had been, deservedly or undeservedly, more in the news for his escapades and love affairs than for his political hievements, although in recent ars he gained new respect by becoming virtual dictator of Rumania.
The limelight playing over the tivities of King Carol has in other years seemed sometimes unsuited to royalty's activities.
But in the past two years, in his forties, King Carol grew up. With a sure, firm hand he played the game n internal and international politics He took full advantage of Rumania's strategic position between Germany and the Soviet Union, of vital importance to Britain and France in Reporters went to the balcony of the United Press office to watch the demonstrations, but were immediately forced to return inside because of the firing, It was believed the demonstrations were organized by the opposition in an effort to prevent General Antonescu from taking the oath of office. Some believed the demon-strafers were supporters of M. Julius Maniu, leader of the Transylvanian Peasant Party, and M. George Bratjanu, considered unsympathetic to the new Premier.
Meanwhile, the Government's press Department issued a statement state ing that the new press policy would be "based on the Axis.
"The press should not combat Rumania's neighbours, Russia, Hungary and Bulgaria," the statement said, "and should not attack ministers or other members of the Government."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.