The Daily News. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2. OUR LATEST ALLY.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 September 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2. OUR LATEST ALLY.

Roumania has been described as a sort of half Latin island in the midst of a Slav aea, one of the youngest countries of Europe, yet peopled by a nation centuries old, whose boast it is that they came direct from imperial Rome —a people comprising the highest educational levelopment with an ignorance beyond fell conception. All nations have

their ideals and aspirations, and it is only by a study of these impelling forces that it is possible to arrive at a fairly accurate conclusion as to the line of action any given country may take when faced with a crisis that may make or mar its future. In the case of Roumania, as the country is now constituted there are some eight million inhabitants, though the race is said to be at least fourteen millions strong. Of those who dwell 'beyond the frontiers of Roumania, nearly four million inhabit Transylvania and Bukowina, while over two million live in Bessarabia. Tt is not difficult to itnlise that the dream o' Roumanian statesmen and .patriots is the creation of a greater Roumania. It is a matter of such stupendous and vital concern—this great hope and aspiration —that the Roumanians may well be pardoned for their excessive caution in not making a false step that would ruin their hopes and result in national death, instead of increased national vitality, and the materialising of the dream that would enable the country to stand alone, proud of her independence and bent on working out her destiny as a progressive and consolidated nation. It, is a common saying that the times bring forth the men. Roumania is, indeed, particularly fortunate, inasmuch as the clever Liberal statesman (M. Bratianu), who is at the 'head of the Government, is particularly qualified to face and overcome the crisis in the country's affairs. He has evidently strong faith in the truth of the proverb that evsrything comes to those who know how to wait, and he has consistently adopted that wise policy with an astuteness that stamps him as a statesman and diplomat of the 'highest rank. He watched, waited and prepared, and at the psychological moment struck. He played for safety, for without that his- country was doomed; with it was a 'brilliant | future and the realisation of the ambition of securing a Roumania Irridenta, in the same way as her Italian ally is now carving a way to victory 'and attaining the long hoped for Italia Irridenta. By inference the attainment of this goal means the crushing of Bulgaria end Austria, and thereby the Allies are rendered valuable aid. M. Bratianu has been actuated by one dominant motive, that of making the -best possible bargain for his country. There have been many rumors of promises of territory, both from the Central and the Entente Powers, to secure either Roumanian neutrality or co-operation. It does not matter that these promises consisted of gifts which neither party possessed—the war has produced quite] a. crop of these prodigalities." Roumania has elected to take her chances of the Allies winning and rewarding her to the utmost extent -possible. AVbatever resentment Germany may feel at allegedly pro-German Roumania joining the Allies must be placed at Austria's door, for as the anti-Hungarian feeling grew in strength their Russian sympathies increased, the outcome of this being evidenced :by the fact that Roumania declared war upon Austro-Hungary and not upon Germany. It must he remembered that Roumania- is a trade rival of Russia, so that it is obvious she would view with the greatest concern the Turkish capital in Russian hands, tat that drawback has had no effect in deterring Roumania from making the plunge, leaving the adjustment of economical problems till after the war. Politically, and to some extent nationally, Roumanian sympathies are with the 'Allies, especially with France and Italy, ,lbut economic causes had a tendency to force her into the arms of our enemies, for it must be remembered that during the war the only available market for Roumanian produce was Germany, But above and beyond every other consideration was the soul-absorbing sentiment of patriotism. Roumania's avowed object in entering the war was to win Transylvania, Where over a million and a half Roumanians groan under the Austrian yoke, j There are also nearly two million Rou-1 manians in Hungary, suffering severely under the efforts of a hostile administration to stamp out their nationality, being governed by Magyars, who arc either ignorant of the Roumanian.language, or do not employ it if they are acquainted with it. Roumania occupies a very important strategical position, necessitating strength as being of the utmost importance. A united Roumania would give that strength, so that we can readily understand that they would eagerly embrace a favorable opportunity for the attainment of their laudable aspirations. The repentance ot the Central [Powers has come too late, and the future of Roumania now lies with the Entente Powers. Roumania 'has made her choice, and there is every reason to anticipate that her adherence to the Allies will prove to her great advantage.