The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 1916. ROUMANIA AT WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 August 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 1916. ROUMANIA AT WAR.

Following closely on the declaration of war by Italy against Germany comes the far more important announcement that Roumanian neutrality lias at Inst be<!n ended by a declaration of war against Austria, and by a declaration of war by Germany against Roumania. For good 01 otherwise Roumania lias throivn in her lot with the Allies against the Central Powers. There can be no question that the time at wliie.li the decision was made was aptly chosen. The direction of 'Roum-ania's ultimate action will not cause the slightest surprise, for it was absolutely a certainty that she would either remain neutral or take up arms on the side of the Entente Powers. We need not dwell upon the length of time that Roumanians action lias been -held in suspense. If we regard the momentous question from her point of \iev, it will be seen that she. has acted wisely and well, for had she declared herself in favor of the Allies before they were in a position to prevent her being crushed like the Serbians, she would not only have been done to death by the Central 'Powers, but would not. be in a position to give more valuable aid at a time when such assistance will be of the greatest advantage. Eoumania was playing for safety, and it was felt that it was wise and prudent on her part so to do, though her holding aloof when Serbia was attacked was keenly felt by the Allies. History >vill probably justify Roumania's inaction, and it may also be found that she gauged the psychological moment for entering the war arena to a nicety. The one great outstanding fact that Roumania's action proclaims to the world is that to which prominence is given in the Americanpress. She has shown that she believes the Allies have turned the tide, and that she has joined the side which sbe is sure will win. The moral effect of her action cannot 'hut be considerable and far-reaching. It is not so much that she may be able to put in the field a force of half a million or even threequarters of a million of men, but the great advantage to the Allies will bo the enormous strategical benefits connected with the passage of Russian forces across 1 Roumania, the control of the Danube, and the early erumpling-up of the Austro-Hungarians, as well as the routing of the Germans in the Eastern theatre. A study of the map discloses innumerable possibilities for that enveloping movement which must utterly destroy the power of Austria, besides which supplies of foodstuffs and munitions can be cut off without nmc'h difficulty. Possibly when Mr. Lloyd George stated the other day that the final chapter of the war was in sight, he was possessed of information which is now 'known to the world at large. It is significant that the decision to enter the war was made by the Roumanian Government, including the King, after a conference at which pa3t premiers and political leaders were .present, and that the decision was almost lmaniimpiia. So

sun; must the authorities have been that the moment for notion 'had arrived that the concentration of Roumanian troops was almost completed before the decree announcing the mobilisation was issued. The scene between the King- and the. German .Minister prior to the ionference places the latter in a very ludicrous light, for he is said to have implored the King to maintain neutrality, the appeal being emphasised by tears in the eyes of the Minister, but Roumania's sovereign was adamant. There was but one course for him to take—to follow the national will—and he took it. The Balkans problem has now been solved. Doubtless Germany will try her best to inflict all the horrors in her power on 'her latest foe, but she will only hasten the end. Austria, already tottering, cannot much longer withstand the decimating process. The road to Vienna is now practically open, and she has the choice of coming to terms or being utterly crushed. The Salonika offensive should now be pushed forward with vigor and determination, and the duration of the war materially shortened. Though Eoumania's help comes late in the day it is none the less welcome and trorbhy of applause.