ROUMANIA AT WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 August 1916, Page 5

ROUMANIA AT WAR.

WITH CENTRAL PUvtRS. HOSTILITIES STARTED. London, August 2S. P.ouniaui.i lias declared war on Aus-tria-Ilungarv. l'.ouir.ania has launched hostilities- in Transylvania. Portland (Oregon). August JS. Germany lias declared war on lionmania. DECISION ALMOST UNANIMOUS. PRO-ENTENTE DEMONSTRATIONS. Bucharest, August 28. The decision to declare war was almost nnanimoii?. As soon as it was known in tl" streets crowds of intensely enthusiastic people surrounded the Councillors as t1:../ left the meeting. All over the city demonstrations in favor of the Entente were immediately organised. Tho Turkish and Bulgarian Ministers have already quitted Bucharest. London, August 28. A Bucharest correspondent says that the Austrian and German Legations, supported by soms prominent proGermans, finding pressure on M.Bratianu futile, tried to provoke dissension between M. Bratianu and the King, but the latter did not respond to this unconstitutional procedure. The concentration of troop; was almost completed before the decree announcing mobilisation was issued.

The authorities are dismissing alien employee!?, including many Germans, of whom a number -wore in the technical services. The Hague, August 20. News ot the Italian and still more of the Roumanian declaration of war, has made a more profound impression in Berlin than any event since the British intervention in the war. The newspapers are bitterly attacking Herr von Jagow and von Zimmerman, of the Foreign Office, who are regarded as particularly responsible for the diplomatic defeat. The Roumanian Legation is guarded b.v the police. The windows of the Italian Embassy have been broken by stones. The Roumanian Ministers will he handed their passports to-day. Athens, August 2S. A wireless mesage reports that a coup-de-theatre may he expected in Greece The dismissal of Generals Dousmanis and Metaxas is supposed to be the first move thereto. It is also reported that M. Venezelos has been recalled to the Cabinet. Continuous pro-Ally demonstrations followed the address by M. Venezelos, who charged King Constantiue with violating the constitution and thwarting the uopular will.

REJOICINGS. A CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCH. Rome, August 28. There was extraordinary enthusiasm outside the Roumanian Legation when special editions of the papers announced Roumania's decision. Large crowds paraded tlie streets for hours cheering Roumania. According to the Messagero's Bucharest correspondent, the King gave audience to the German Minister prior to the Council. There, was a dramatic scene, when the Minister, with tears in liis eyes, implored the King to maintain neutrality, declaring that a. Hohenzollern should not make war on a HolienzoHcrn. The King replied that he was simply King of Roumania, and must follow the national will. The fateful Bucharest council was opened by the King declaring that he was not able to give a decision. The chief of the General Staff emphasised the excellent condition of the army. The Germanophile members did net raise great objections, declaring that if war was decided upon they would fully support it. There were only three dissentients.

AMERICAN OPINION. ROUMANIA JOINS WINNING SIDE. GRAVE PLOW TO CENTRA! POWERS New York, August 28. The United Press military expert states that Roumania has shown that sh-3 believes the Allies have turned the tide. The limitation of the declaration to Austria may induce Bulgaria not to interfere in Roumania's campaign. The Globe states that Roumania has joined the side which she is sure will win. Her fresh troops will be of inestimable value to the Allies and a. dreadful menace to Bulgaria, who may now decide to change sides. The Journal opines that Roumania's support will be of great strategic value. By closing the Danube, Roumania can stop the flow of munitions supplies through one great channel of communication from the Central lowers to the Balkans. Roumania's action is a grave blow to the Central Powers. London, August 28. The Athens correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says that the Entente Ministers asked M. Zaimis how far Greece was prepared to allow the Bulgarians to penetrate. M. Zaimis said he was endeavoring to .persuade the enemy Powers not to advance beyond a line north of Kostni, which would constitute a temporary frontier, but it was questionable whether the enemy, if they agreed, would respect the agreement. In Athens 50,000 persons made a demonstration before the house of M. Venezelos, who advised a deputation to the King to t.ell him that elections were necessary, and that he must not use 'Ms his name politically, but must give the present Government full political authority to show s benevolent neutrality to the Ententa,

ALLIES JUBILANT. BULGARIA ANTICIPATED ROUMANIAN ACTION. PARIS BEFLACOED Received August 2ft, ">..j p.m. London, August 2S. Ronmnniii's participation wns untieipiitnl for many days, (here being numerous signs that the actual moment was approaching. Bulgaria's offensive is generally regarded as showing they were aware of their neighbor's intention, and wanted to forestall,tin. attack with open threats. German newspapers, that were anti-liou-aianian, indicated the fears felt in German ollicial quarters. Therefore the declaration has not surprised the Entente countries, but a great feeling of satisfaction, and an even jubilant tone, exists hi the Entente capitals. Flags, which have rarely been seen in Paris during the war period, were displayed in 'honor of the event.

GENERAL ENTENTE ELATION. BERLIN SENDS FIRST XEW'S. STOCK EXCHANGE CHEERFUL. Received iugust 2!), 8.15 p.m. London, August 28. j The news of Roumania'? decision 'reached London first from Berlin, via Amsterdam. Confirmatory messages, which came to hand a few minutes later from almost every Entente capita:, caused general elation. The news came,too late to have much effect on the Stock Exchange, winch closed with a cheerful tone, especially regarding foreign giltedged securities. GERMAN PEOPLE MISLED. While Germany had every reason to fear Roumania's antagonism, the German public seem surprised and disgusted, as newspapers at the eleventh hour published correspondents' despatches from Bucharest asserting that the danger was past. HIDING THE NEWS FROM AUSTRIAN S. Tho Vienna press asserted on Sunday that Roumania had refused Russia's request to allow her to 'transport troops. I'o-day Austrian newspapers are published with large blanks, showing' the censors' wholesale excisions. EFFECT OF GERMANY. CONCEALMENT NO LONGER POSSIBLE.

ROUMANIAN MINISTERS CONGRATULATED. NO DOUBT AS TO RESULT 01 WAR. Received August 29, S.IS p.m. London, August 28. One result of Roumania's and Italy's declaration, whereto prominence is given in London and Paris, is the effect it will have on Germany, where it is impossible to any longer conceal from the .public Roumania's and Italy's view of the future course of the war. Widespread congratulations have been offered by England and France to M. Filipescu and M. Jonescu. whose .pro.Entente efforts are fully recognised. A noteworthy revelation isMdiat the Paris paper Le Journal, on the 20th inst., received a letter from M. Filipescu, declaring: "We have not the slightest doubt regarding the issue of the war. I beg you henceforth to consider Roumanin among the factors contributing towards its happy conclusion."

WHY GERMANY DECLARED WAR. ROUMANIA'S GRIEVANCES. ITALY THE CONNECTING LINK. Received August 20, S.lo p.m. - London, August 28. A German official mesage, prefacing the declaration of war against Roumania, states that the latter declared war against Germany's ally after disgracefully breaking the treaties concluded between Germany and Austro-'Hungary and Roumania. The Geneva correspondent of the Vienna Telegram, states that the Roumanian Minister delivered liis declaration at the same time a;- 'he presented a document of grievances, such, as the prosecution of acts of violence against Roumanians in the dual monarchy. He adds that t'h(> agreements formerly attaching Roumania to the Triple Alliance ceased to exist from the day that Germany and Austro-Hungary broke the alila"nee by forcing the withdrawal of Italy therefrom. OPERATIVE REASONS The document proceeds to formulate reasons dictating Roumania's entry into tile war: — Firstly: Anxiety for Roumanians in Austro-Hungary, who are exposed to the risks of war and invasion. Secondly: Roumania, by intervening, believes it will shorten the duration of the world war. Thirdly: Roumania takes her place alongside those Powers most able to effectively assist her to realise her national ideals. VIENNA SHOCKED. Tire decision has caused ft most painful lahock in iVienn*'

AN HISTORIC STROKE OF JUSTICE. GREAT TRIBULATION FOR THE ENEMY. FORMIDABLE, BLOCKADE OF GERMANY. Renter Message. Received August 23, 11.-10 p.m. London, August 2D. Roumania's declaration of war ilius evoked jubilant comment* in Paris, and also Rome, where it was described as an historic stroke of justice, marking the beginning of a phase of groat tribulation for the enemy. One of the most important consequences would be the. final enclosure of Germany in a formidable blockade, supplemented by concentric advances on all military fronts. Some point out that the war has turned out to be of greatest intensity in the Balkans, where it originated, and where ncrhaps we would find the solution. THE ALLIES' WISDOM. The wisdom of the Allies in holding Salonika is now recognised as r, stroke of genius. It is not doubted that Greece is also bound to come in. ROUMANIA'S OBJECTIVE The Austrian report of the fighting mows that Hungarian Transylvania is l.'ournania's immediate objective. Ronmania is here confronted by the Carpathians, a barrier of a hundred miles broad. THE STRATEGIC SITUATION. The conquest may not be rapid, "but the operations will immediately improve the strategic situation, as the Russian left in Bukowina is now linked with the Roumanian right, while the Teutonic right flank is now completely in the air. Hitherto it rested on the Roumanian frontier, near the south-east corner of Bukowina, and must now be prolonged 400 miles along the Carpathians to the Danube at Vcroiofova.

THE IRON GATE. It has been reported that a large Russian force is concentrating on the Danube, close to the Roumanian frontier. The "iron gate" may again be the scene of a struggle as in the time of the Romans. RUSSIAN 'ADVANTAGES). Apart from the prospect of a wholesale invasion of Hungary, the Russians are now able to march to Bulgaria through Roumania, utilising their bases at Odessa. In this connection an interesting statement conies from IPetrograd that Russia has armed and trained very considerable forces of AitstroIlungarian subjects for use in the Balkans, officered partly by their own and partly by Serbian ollieers who 'have takon the oath of allegiance to the Czar.

EFFECT OF INTERVENTION. BULGARIA'S DOOM HASTENED. OPENING- OF DARDANELLES /'EXPEDITED. Received August 29, 11.40 p.m. New York, August '2ft. Americans at 'Bucharest,- who interviewed M. Jonescu, state that lie considers only a great German victory could have checked Roumanian intervention. He added: "Our entry will shorten the war by at least six months. The most valuable reward will he Transylvanian Hungary, and the latter would thus lose a quarter of her territory. The intervention hastens Bulgaria's doom, cuts off Turkey, and expedites the fall of Constantinople and the opening of the Dardanelles. MORE GERMAN BLUFF: READY TO RUSH BUCHAREST. .Received August 29, 5.45 p.m. London, August 28. The Morning Post's correspondent at Budapest, writing on the 20th, quotes a Bulgarian general as saying that strong German and Turkish divisions were at the lower Danube ready t» cross and rush to Bucharest, which will easily be readied in live days, whereas the Russians would be unable to assist the Roumanians under twenty days. He believed the Turks, originally intended for the north-east front, were diverted towards Brasso, and Hungarians were sent to Toldra valley to guard the Constantinople railway. THE NOTE DELIVERED ON SUNDAY. Received August 29, 8.45 p.m. Aiustei am, August 2S. Tile Roumanian Note was delivered on .Sunday and announced a state of ivar at 0 o'clock on Sunday night. The Rou[manian Minister Minister uuits Vienna to-day, A VAIN HOPE. Received August 29, 8.4j p.m. Rome, August 23. The German Minister's limil audience ' with the King of Roumania wax at the request of liis allied Ministers, who hoped the 'King would respond to the appeals to liis nationality and kinship to the I Kaiser. CABINET CHANGES. Received August 29, 8.45 p.m. London, August 29. A Bucharest telegram states that M. Bratilan's brother has been added to the Cabinet. President Pherekydes has been appointed Foreign Minister. BULGARIA'S PLANS. Paris, August 28. The Crown Prince Boris of Bulgaria, who was recently at Vienna, expressed himself to the Bourbonists in the most Francophile terms. It ir deduced that Ferdinand, it.defeated, .will abdicate in favor of Prince Boris, who will immediately declare for the Entente

FRENCH OPINION. STGNS OF VICTORY OX THE 'HORIZON. Received August 20, S.l.i p.m. N Paris, August JS. Le Temps this evening >lutes that already the lu-l military init.intive -x se.>, (ii|,loni:iey misearry". Italy and mania both nearly .show the ehange .at lui- come, over the great game whcrc'ii the world's future was staked. Signs of I'ietory are on the horizon. l-e '.louriiiil lies Dehiits s'ays the de'■larntions of war will help tlie Allies to .•ieeoni|.li-.;, the ta„k. an<l eouvim-c tlm Germans th.it Providence approves not 'i: her dominion over the world.

ROUMANIA'S DECISION APPLAUDED. FRENCH PREMIER'S MESSAGE. Received August 29, 10.43 p.m. ' Paris, August 29, M. Briand (Premier) telegraphed to M. Rratianii that the wlhole .of the French nation applauds Roum.inia's courageous decision to take her place among the defenders of the rights of civilisation. T'he triumph of our common efforts will assure' a victory which will permit Roumania to realise her national aspirations. .

AUSTRALIAN GRATIFICATION. RODMAN IA BACKS THE WINNING HORSE. Received August 2D, 10.4,5 p.m. Melbourne, August '2O. Flogs were flown at the Federal House and Commonwealth offices a: a mark of Italy's and Roumanian declaration of 'var. COLONEL REPINGTON'S CONCLUSIONS. BEST .MOMENT CHOSEN. .. THE POSITION REVIEWED. Received August 29, S.-to p.m. London, August 28. Colonel Repington states that Rouniania's free decision proves her statesmen expect the Central Powers will be defeated. Roumania will help .with an aggregate of 1,000,000 trained met and ISOO guns, which will prove very valuable to us. Roumanians have chosen the best moment, when Austria was very bard hit on' the Russian and Italian" fronts.

Forty-five Austrian divisions are on the Russian front, ami between twentyseven and tventy-eigbt divisions on the Italian front. As a total number of seventy-six is necessary to occupy Serbia and contiol Albania, it will be difficult to spare troops to reinforce the 50,000 LanyUtiuiners, now that the Roumanian frontier can withstand attack. Moreover, General Letchitsky's strong, victorious army, now on the Hungarian frontier, will be able to combine operations with the Roumanians. ROUMANIAN TWO COURSES. The two courses open to the Boumanian staff are for, a simultaneous offensive. on the western and southern fronts, or a choice between the above offensives, ARMS AND AMMUNITION. The fact that Roumania is armed with Mamilieher rifles and Krupp guns causes some disquiet, but there are plenty of rides in the country to supply the small arms, whilst artillery ammunition is ample for many months. A steady supply is also available from other sources, while it is possible to replenish the mountain 'heavy artillery with Creusots. Their fortress artillery is also fairly large and good, and they should be able to provide an adequate proportion of heavy guns.

ROUMANIAN STRENGTH. SOME USEFUL EQUIPMENTS. 1 Received August 29, 5.5 p.m. London, August 28. Roumania during the last lialkan war was able to mobilise 000,000 men, and probably will do better now. There have been many reports of a considerable increase in her artillery, which is now believed to be particularly stiong. Her four river monitors should be of considerable use on the Danube. It i-> understood that some destroyers will soon be added to her small navy. GERMANS GET IN EARL 7 Received August 29, 5.5 p.m. • London, August 2S. A German communique states: At Sicbenbueger, on the Transylvania frontier, some. Roumanian's have been taken prisoner. i ROUMANIANS ATTACK AUSTRIANS. FIRST SHOTS ON FRONTIER. Received August 29, 8.15 p.m. ' Vienna, August 28. A communique reports! Roumania made a treacherous surprise attack, ami exchanged the first shots on our frontier posts in the Hungarian south-eastern and eastern passes. They advanced towards the Roenturn passes, south-west, and south of Brassa, and entered into conflict early on Monday, when our first Roumanian misoners were take^..