RUMANIA: Again, Chaos

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Then, in a compelling manifesto of bitterness mixed with sadness. Premier Antonescu told his countrymen: "In the pages of history there does not exist a page of greater ingratitude. In the Premier's office I worked like a slave early and late. . . . They organized against me with the help of former Minister of Interior Petrovicescu. ... I tried without success to stop the rebellion . . . I—who made the coup d'état of Sept. 6 without shedding a drop of blood. . . ." Significantly, he concluded: "I make it a duty and an honor to declare to the nation in these days of greatest sadness that I have behind me the loyal shadow of the great Führer and the honor of German might, which guaranteed our borders." Even more significantly he placed the full blame for the revolt on Scapegoat Horia Sima, who had apparently joined the Codreanists to maintain his Guardist prestige. The onetime Vice Premier was hunted down by Rumanian troops, was variously reported as arrested, as hiding, as fleeing into Germany. For rabble-rousing old Ion Codreanu, Antonescu had no word of censure, fearing to stir up the fanatical Guardists again in support of their No. 1 martyr's father. The Government had regained precarious control, but had left flourishing the roots of disorder.

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