SECRETS OF RUMANIA

Hokitika Guardian, 23 June 1928, Page 4

SECRETS OF RUMANIA

A TOE-HEAVY KINGDOM

(Bv Sir Percival Phillips). BUCAREST, April 20.

The foreign obserrer in search of hard facts concerning the present state of Rumania struck by the symbolism of a certain triumphal arch which was erected in honour of the coronation of the late King Ferdinand. This arch adorns a promenade known as the Chaussce Kisseley, a kind of rustic Champs-Elysees, where the people walk or drive in solemn procession on fine afternoons. It is lofty and, from a distance, not. unimpOsing. Blit at close range the illusion of dignity disappears. There remains only size without Massive blocks of stone become painted lines on plaster, and ragged holes in the flanks such' as might have been made by rats, disclose a skeleton of wood.

The history of this somewhat notorious structure, and the cynical comments of its critics, are not pertinent to this article. "\V hat does matter is the comparison it invites with the condition of the country. Both have the same glitter and, from afar, the same superficial appearance of strength. Both reveal, on examination, °the same effects of strain and stress. Both are being subjected to efforts in underpinning with inore substantial materials, but the process thus far has been slow and costly and the result is largely unconvincing. SHOW OF PEOSPEKITV.

Rumania’s governing class make a bravo show of prosperity- in the face of foreign criticism, but they cannot ceal the fact that their country is in the throes of a very serious economic, financial and political crisis. The bid kingdom, rendered top-heavy by the post-war addition of Transylvania, Bessarabia, and the Bukovina, lias failed properly to assimilate and develop those rich and diversely populated provinces. Lack of efficient administrative machinery, indolence, incompetence, open corruption, and a foolish fiscal policy which liis killed industry, discouraged thvee-fourtlis of the population, and surprised the rest of Europe, have combined to bring her to a most dangerous plight. There is ,open conflict between two political factions which are as far apart in mentality and methods as the Poles.- On one side is the old bureaucracy of Bucarest, which believes that it is all Rumania and so envisages national problems. On the other is a determined peasant majorty which believes that it is being kept in subjectoii l>y dishonest control of the franchise. NEED OF MONEY.

The country is desperately in need of money and must have it soon. M. Titulesou, the Foreign Minister, lias gone from country to country, bat in hand, and found nothing. The public services are breaking down from dilapidation and lack of repair. The army must bo re-equip-ped.—Railways. telegraphs, telephone and postal services cry out for funds. Government employees exist precariously on a pittance, which they collect iu some instances only by greasing the palm of the nearest intermediary.

There is an atmosphere of suspicion and mutual distrust in the inner circles of bureaucracy. Two or three politicians skilled in affairs of State are trying to "impart some semblance of efficiency to the demoralised and antiquated machinery they control, but they are handicapped in many ways, not the least being, their profound disbelief iu the dependability of their colleagues.

They are perturbed by the possibility of revolution—not necessarily a revolution expressed in terms of street fighting and. barricades, but a none the less devastating upheaval of cherished traditions which is threatened by a resolute and single-minded Opposition, comprising at least 75 per cent of their countrymen. This national crisis involves no dynastic question. The issue lies squarely between the Liberal Party, which is in power, as; it lias been for years, and the Opposition, which, is an alliance of the powerful National Peasant Party of Transylvania, the peasants of tlie* old kingdom, and the two minor groups. The Opposition declare that the elections held last

summer were flagrantly corrupt and that the “old gang” of Bucarest, hnving all the machinery in its hands, forcibly prevented a fair ballot.

The immediate demand is for new elections. The peasants have shown remarkable solidarity in their campaign. Last mopth 30,000 of them assembled at Bucrarest, much to the apprehension of that easy-going capital, and held a meeting which impressed and even startled the complacent politicians by its quiet determination and strict discipline. PEASANTS’ MEETINGS. Another meeting of peasants from all parts of Rumania lias been called for May 6 at Alba Julia, in Transylvania, a town which has witnessed the birth of many national movements, including the revolution of 1848. The meeting was to have been held on April 21, ibiit, much to the relief of the Government, the Opposition leaders decided to postpone it. , If it is prevented by the Government, as some of the Opposition would like, there may be serious trouble. The alliance of the peasant parties is not aimed at the dynasty. It is not in any sense anti-Rnmanian. The Transylvanians have many grievances against their masters at Biicarest, but the majority arc wholly loyal to tho country of which their province is now a part.

The Royal Family has been curiously obscured by this crisis. The Council of Regency (Prince Nicholas, the Patriarch, and tho Chief Justice) sits feebly aloof. The boy King -Michael is no more than a charming child whose smile invokes affectionate recognition from all classes and factions. Queen Marie is discreetly absent in Cyprus. Prince Carpi remains well in the background, and the newspapers, knowing when they are well off, never mention his name. He might, in certain circumstances, become a figure of importance, but at the moment there is no indication that the Opposition contemplate using him, as has been suggested, as a factor which would ensure the sympathy of tlio army.

OFFICIAL VIEW. Quite naturally, the Government put the best possible face on the situation. M. Diica, the Minister of the Interior, with whom I had several conversations, has authorised me to quote him in these words: The Rumanian people are more firmly decided than ever to maintain inviolate their national unity : so dehrly won in the world war after centuries of suffering' and waiting. They demand nothing but peace, and their only, preoccupation now is the consolidation of their country. There exists, of course, a rather bitter "political struggle between the Government and the National Peasant Party, which is due to the fact that |his party shows an .exaggerated impatience to seize the reigns of government. But anyone cognisant of the real situation in Rumania Will be able to tell you that this agitation'is purely superficial. 1 " ask if the (Ssyerpmeßt fjU IS {

forbid the meeting called at Alba Julia. No decision has yet been reached on the subject, and it will depend in any case on the attitude Of the Opposition; If the Opposition want to go to Alba Julia to disturb the peace tlie Government, like any other Government in their place, will (be obliged to take the necessary steps to maintain order. If you want the British public, to know the truth concerning the situation in Rumania, please make it clear that she is not on the brink of a volcano but in the midst of an era of order, hard work, and progress. This sounds very reassuring, but I am afraid M. Duca is inclined to describe the Arc do Triomphe from afar. There are many persons in his own dominant party who do not agree with him that the agitation of the National Peasant Party is purely superficial.